Billy Guyton
Billy Guyton, a former professional rugby player from New Zealand, was diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) following his tragic death at age 33, making him the first professional rugby player in New Zealand confirmed to have the disease.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Billy Guyton’s death in 2023 was later confirmed as linked to CTE.
Experts call for ban on contact sports for under-14s as brain injury evidence mounts – The Elephant
New Zealand· 2025-10-15
Billy Guyton was a rugby player and friend of Shane Christie who also battled CTE and took his own life in 2023.
Shane Christie sustained multiple head injuries playing rugby. In death, he is still fighting for change | New Zealand
United Kingdom· 2025-09-30
Billy Guyton was the first professional rugby player diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease CTE, which was linked to repeated head knocks.
The tragic final year of rugby star and brain injury advocate Shane ChristieNew Zealand· 2025-09-05
Billy Guyton was a close friend of Shane Christie who also died by suspected suicide and was found to have grade 2 CTE.
Revealed: The secret NZ Rugby report Māori All Black Shane Christie wanted releasedNew Zealand· 2025-09-02
Christie’s close friend and teammate, Billy Guyton was found to have CTE in a brain study carried out after his death in a suspected suicide.
Shane Christie funeral: Hundreds of mourners farewell ex-Māori All Black in NelsonNew Zealand· 2025-09-01
Billy Guyton was the first New Zealand rugby player to be diagnosed with CTE after a brain study was carried out following his death in 2023.
Father of CTE victim Billy Guyton slams NZ Rugby after Shane Christie’s sudden deathNew Zealand· 2025-08-27
Billy Guyton was diagnosed with CTE posthumously, highlighting the risks of brain injuries in sports.
How Shane Christie was gagged from speaking on brain injuries the year before his deathNew Zealand· 2025-08-27
Billy Guyton was a close friend and teammate of Shane Christie who was found to have CTE after his death.
Former Māori All Black Shane Christie dies in suspected suicide – death sparks rugby head knocks appealNew Zealand· 2025-08-27