Given the studies showing the links between concussions and dementia, the suicides and lawsuits and the societal trend towards risk-aversion bordering on risk-hysteria, what is the future of American football?  Will it someday cease to exist, either by law or disinterest in a changed game?

I don’t think it’ll happen in the next decade or maybe even 30 years.  But, I think one day we’ll see a radically different sport that resembles more the 7-on-7 model.  The “helicopter” parents will prohibit participation at the youth level and society will shame the rest that they don’t care about their kids.  Gradually, the fear of liability and expensive settlements will force rules changes at the NFL level on down to the point that participation and fan interest will wane.

Good question and prognosis Slappy.  Interesting.  The part about a segment of society “shaming” the rest who allow their kids to play…hmmm, that is how our ‘enlightened’ society operates in this day and time with all social issues.  If you are not in lock-step with the PC conscious of this country, then you are going to labeled (in a non-flattering way).  Anyway, this is a football board and I do not want to divert into broader issues. 

Good post.

Whew…....such a deep subject for a lazy Sunday afternoon…....

I don’t think it is going to change as much as we think at the College and Pro-Level…..The Dollars and stakes are wayyyyyy too big.

Now that the genie is out of the bottle if you will I do think we will see changes, but not so much of the game….....at least I hope not.

Football is still a collision sport…...like Rugby where they wear no helmets and play full contact…....funny how we hear nothing from that sport around the world about concussions….....

Here is where I think the biggest changes will come from:

1.  All participation in organized sports from the youngest levels will have to have a letter signed by a parent/guardian understanding that football is a collision sport and repetitive impact can lead to various forms of injury and later in life health issues…...If they sign off on that then the monkey is on their back….................Once the cigarette industry settle the class action suit and everyone knows that smoking can mess you up, it is the individuals responsibility to participate at their own risk.

2.  I think technology will actually make the game safer.  Better head gear research will undoubtedly continue to evolve and the game will get safer.

3.  I think medical awareness will be one of the bigger things that will happen.  Medical will be quicker to pull a player out and sit him to be evaluated rather than sending him back out…..I actually have some experience in this area.  When I was in the Air Force in the 1980’s, I was an Athletic Trainer at the Air Force Academy.  I worker with Olympic Sports with the wrestling team and Boxing team being regular sports and I supported intramural , JV and a little Varsity Football….......I don’t want to say a lot, but we had a way of dealing with concussions…........I will say that most of them are easy to sport…..it is the marginal ones where a player gets hit hard and gets up that is a little more difficult because they are asymptomatic….........

I hope the game doesn’t get ruined over this

Look how popular cigarette smoking is today.

I don’t think it’ll be limited to football.  Hockey, boxing, MMA all potential targets.

Bottom line, no it won’t go away.  We are moving in the right direction now.  Plus with how much money is in the medical field now we may be able to reverse the damages of a concussion.  I actually recently heard some news that they can actually make brain cells from cells that you piss out, yes urine. 

There will always be money there and the risk vs reward will always lead the poor to pursue a sports that make a lot of money.  The leagues will pad themselves from liability with contracts saying you can’t sue for concussions side effects and they will change rules and equipment to help prevent concussions.  Also, certain players might just have to retire at an earlier age or allow larger rosters to account for concussion resting time.