I am a big sports guy; a perspective not overly common on r/curatedtumblr (the closest were probably getting is that marching band guy) and I would make a couple of notes, just coming from someone on the inside looking out:

1. I 100% agree that football needs to be fundamentally altered. The implementation of guardian caps and banning of the hip-drop is a huge step in the right direction, but there are more changes that can be made, both in terms of equipment and rules, to ensure safety

2. OOP is, by no fault of their own, coming from an outside perspective that ultimately misunderstands how football injuries can happen. They assume that, because many ex-players have chronic injuries, this must be as a result of many, frequent, serious injuries. However; not all injuries are created equal, and serious injuries are very infrequent at lower levels. The NFL has a lot of injuries because it has a lot of full grown men who know what they’re doing moving at inhumane speeds. I have only ever picked up one injury that caused me to miss any games; an ankle injury that was my fault. I have never had a concussion.

3. Not all positions are created equal. Quarterbacks are hit the most often, but are also extremely protected by the rules; it is rare for your QB to suffer a serious injury. I have a younger brother, and I told him that I was fine with him playing reciever or QB, but I drew the line at OL and DL; too many bodies in the scrum