It’s a tough call-my husband heard a guy (I can’t remember the name) state how playing in the NFL changed the lives of his family in a way that no other job could have. Not only did he go from poverty to wealth, but it opened doors for him after he retired from playing. He thanked God for football and the NFL and blasted those who were trying to destroy it.
On the other hand, my brother has gotten to know one of the former “purple people eaters” and his brain injuries have left him in a bad way. It’s possible that old age has brought him to this state, but multiple concussions over several years can’t be ignored.
My boys play football and love it. They won’t be good enough to take the hits that occur in Div 1 or the NFL, but the older one has gotten a concussion and they’ve both told me how some guys cheat to get around the test and back in the game.
I would implement a weight limit in the NFL of no more than 250 pounds.
IF one could guarantee to a junior high school athlete that they would make it to the NFL, then at least that would be a good case that it could be worth it. But only .002% of Junior High football players will ever see a dime from the sport, while hundreds of thousands will end up with ruined knees, steroid-ravaged testicles and kidneys, and of course brain damage. With those odds, I’ll just play the lottery.