Shane Christie, Rugby Concussion Campaigner Who Wanted To Donate His Brain, Found Dead At 39

Shane Christie, nan erstwhile Māori All Blacks subordinate who had wanted his encephalon to beryllium studied aft suffering from nan effects of aggregate concussions, has died aged 39.

The New Zealand rugby subordinate had campaigned for greater consciousness successful rugby of nan effect of repeated blows to nan head. After retiring from nan crippled successful 2017, Christie reportedly suffered from headaches, representation lapses, reside problems, slump and temper swings accordant pinch chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Christie, who besides played for Otago Highlanders, Canterbury Crusaders and nan All Blacks sevens team, was recovered dormant astatine his location successful Nelson connected Wednesday greeting aft constabulary were called to nan address. “The decease will beryllium referred to nan coroner and we person nary further accusation aliases remark we tin provide,” said police.

New Zealand Rugby said Christie was profoundly passionate astir nan athletics and would beryllium “remembered always”. “Any clip nan rugby organization loses a personnel it is felt deeply,” New Zealand Rugby said. “Shane’s passion for nan crippled will beryllium remembered always. Our thoughts are pinch Shane’s whānau [family], friends, erstwhile teammates, and organization astatine this incredibly difficult time.”

Christie reportedly wanted to donate his encephalon to nan New Zealand sports quality encephalon slope for its studies into CTE, a degenerative illness caused by repetitive caput trauma that cannot beryllium detected successful surviving people. “Without encephalon donations we’re not going to beryllium capable to place really agelong it takes to get this disease. It’s important to thief nan investigation successful New Zealand,” Christie had said.

Christie helped group up nan Billy Guyton Foundation pinch nan purpose of further knowing nan effects of concussion connected players aft nan decease of his teammate successful 2023. Guyton was nan first New Zealand rugby subordinate to beryllium diagnosed pinch CTE.