Shane Christie, rugby concussion campaigner who wanted to donate his brain, found dead at 39

Shane Christie, a former Māori All Blacks player, has passed away at the age of 39. Christie, who had campaigned for greater awareness of the impact of repeated concussions in rugby, had wanted his brain to be studied after his death. Police were called to Christie's home in Nelson, New Zealand, on Wednesday morning. After retiring from rugby in 2017, Christie reportedly suffered from various symptoms, including headaches, memory lapses, speech problems, depression, and mood swings, all of which are consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries. The article highlights Christie's dedication to raising awareness about the long-term effects of concussions in rugby, and his willingness to donate his brain to further research in this area. His passing is a tragic loss for the rugby community and the ongoing efforts to understand and address the issue of concussions in the sport.