If the sport went back to thick sweaters and leather helmets, a lot of the injury problems would sort themselves out quickly. The plastic and foam armor players wear throughout high school and college enables players to develop bad habits and take dangerous risks with little outward effect. Minor injuries would increase, probably cutting some careers short, but the kids looking for a pro career would adjust their behavior to be better at staying healthy, not just getting bigger and faster. Also, if a guy got his bell rung on a play and got knocked out of the game, it would be an obvious and increasingly rare thing, not dozens of small car crashes accumulating each game over a career.
“If the sport went back to thick sweaters and leather helmets, a lot of the injury problems would sort themselves out quickly.”
I agree completely.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, WORSE helmets are actually SAFER.
Agreed. Eliminate the helmets and other padding. The players would quickly stop trying to inflict serious injuries to each other. As it is now it is about taking out your opponent through pain and injury.