[writimov]

I've spoken with multi-generation football family coaches, players who say that the sport is headed for an end. I'm not sure I believe that.

It comes down to whether a safe helmet can be made or whether a CTE treatment can be created. (Both of those seem like very difficult goals.)

The number of participants in the kids leagues has been declining for a while: https://www.statista.com/statistics/191658/participants-in-t... What parent would allow their high schooler to play if there is a 21% chance of lifelong disability, loss of earnings potential, etc.?

[lostapathy]

A safer helmet isn't the only way out, though. Rules can be changed to shape the game away from the big hits as well.

Change the rules so there isn't so long between plays and all the optimal players get smaller and more athletic, and they can't "rest and reset" for the next big play. All of a sudden, the magnitude of the collisions goes down substantially.

"Unfortunately" then an NFL game wouldn't be good for 3+ hours of TV advertisements, so there's a lot of incentive to keep the pace slow.