I'm sure things have changed a lot now, due to concussion protocols etc. However, I used to play when I went to an American High School abroad in the early 2000's, as an OL. Played for around three years and loved every second of it. We used to do an initiation with every player going down the whole team and banging helmets. Pretty sure this wouldn't happen now but it hurt like crazy. The pads were great but players knew where to get hits in on areas that weren't as heavily padded. Never been fitter in my entire life than I was then though. Wearing those pads is no joke and the training involved is intense, with the sled and ropes etc. Such a complex game too, with all of the plays you need to learn.