You're thinking like a normal person. Not only does the media likes to hype anything "dangerous for the children" but male football is a gender issue. Since only boys play football, the sport is seen as a pillar of "masculine hegemony" (hetero at that) and "toxic masculinity". Football is central to colleges and American culture so its not just an innocent recreation thing to the radicals presently creating "safe spaces" from toxic masculinity at colleges across the country. Some would like football gone and other like idea of tackle free football because then girls can play. There's a big agenda behind attacks on football (similar to military being forced to put women in combat). Normal people just dont recognize it
Hegemonic_masculinity
"One site where gender is performed and socialized is in sport. Violent sports such as football are fundamental in naturalizing the equation of maleness with violence.[37] Displays of strength and violence, through sports like football, help to naturalize elements of competition and hierarchy as inherently male behaviour, despite the fact that there is no convincing evidence that men are genetically or hormonally-predisposed to violent behaviour.[37] However, the violent and competitive nature of sports like football can only be an exclusively masculine domain if girls and women are excluded from participating altogether. The only means through which women are permitted to participate is as the passive spectator or cheerleader."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemonic_masculinity
This gem even mentions Rutgers:
Sexuality, Gender and Race in American Football
https://sportcultures.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/sexuality-gender-and-race-in-american-football/
I don't agree that concussions in football are a media-driven because of the far left and toxic masculinity, even though I'm sure the writers at Jezebel would love to dance on football's grave. I'm liberal but not leftist. The prominence of football in American culture certainly plays a part and drives media ratings, and anyone should concede that.
I rely on people like Chris Nowinski, even though he's been criticized for being too cozy with his former employer, the WWE. The NFL only cares about its money, and they wouldn't make any significant changes even if someone died right on the field.
Most of the former college players seem to turn out okay and still love the game. But playing professionally for 5, 10, 15 years...I pity those guys. They have money and fame, but in the end that doesn't help.
If I was appointed NFL Commissioner I'd do the following, all of which would never happen:
1. Immediately buy-out the owners of 4 franchises. The talent pool is diminishing, and will continue to diminish. Free agency and the draft provides enough parity.
2. Expand the active rosters from 53 to 60.
3. Eliminate Thursday Night Football. It's a terrible product, the players hate it, and it over saturates the market.
4. Adopt Schiano's proposal to eliminate kickoffs.
5. Two preseason games. 12 regular season games. Two bye weeks.
