Perhaps, but players are getting bigger and faster each generation due to selective breeding, better nutrition, scientific training methods, and in some instances illegal chemistry.
Since energy is equal to the square of the velocity, it’s not a linear growth either.
watch it, “howard cosell” ...
No doubt that the nutrition has gotten better, and the specific training regimens. But the player who is a Line Backer at 6’5” tall, 320 lbs of solid muscle, run a 6.5 sec 40 yards can crush a normal human being. Add the lowered risk for self injury, and these guys can do some serious damage to a human body that is not made for such things.
Start with the equipment, let them lose the face mask, and shoulder pads and a guy’s got to think about self injury too. Make that player ask himself “If I cream this guy how likely is it that I am going to get injured too?”
When you’re well protected like these guys are, the odds of getting injured by your own actions are minimal yet you can practically kill another guy with impunity. Share the risk.
I don’t advocate rules changes in the NFL, like NASCAR did. NASCAR used to be great fun like the racing at my local race track. Now it’s a bunch of expensive pretty boys with too much to lose. It is now un-watchable on TV or in the stands. Bill Elliot, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Darryl Waltrip, Harry Gant, The Allisons, Alan Kulwicki, they raced like they had nothing to lose.