As the NFL Players Union and League ownership continue to squabble over billions of dollars, fans across America wring their hands and gnash their teeth, wondering when and if they'll see football again. At the height of its popularity, the NFL finds itself locked in a high-stakes game of chicken that threatens to abort an entire season's worth of sacks, touchdowns and big hits. Though the labor dispute does pose a legitimate if temporary danger to the NFL's popularity, unfortunately for die-hard football fans, it's potential for damage pales when compared to the game's real threat: the nature of the sport, itself.

 

For years, media and fans have lauded this gladiator sport in which players slam against one another at great speeds only to woozily rise to their feet so they can do it all over again and again and again. In the relatively not-so-old days, if a player saw stars or forgot his own zip code, coaches jammed smelling salts up his nose and sent him back onto the field. Now, with new technology, we recognize these symptoms for what they are: signs of dangerous and possibly permanent brain injuries that can compromise players' health and ultimately end their lives.

 

As awareness grows, parents have responded. These days, the decision whether or not to allow a child to participate in football is becoming as serious as any other a parent might face. Even many NFL players have admitted to restricting their children from participating in youth football, citing concerns about poor coaching and flawed fundamentals. Though they may seem insignificant and far away, these youth football programs represent the base talent pool for college and pro football teams; and, as these pools dry up, so too will the sport, itself—even at its highest levels.

 

Make no mistake, the NFL knows it has a significant problem, and it is scrambling to act preemptively. Afraid of potential future lawsuits and restrictions, the League has mandated new rules that have angered many die-hard players and fans. Encouraged to avoid potential helmet-to-helmet contact, players are now fined heavily for demonstrating even the remote appearance of head hunting or poor fundamentals. While this may eliminate the highlight-type open field collisions, it does little to address the activity in the trenches, where 300-plus lb. offensive and defensive linemen repetitively clash helmets and risk potential long-term brain injuries like those that allegedly contributed to the deaths of former players, such as Dave Duerson and Andre Waters.

 

Still, according to players like Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, the League is trying to do the impossible.

 

"I understand where they're coming from, but at the same time, you can't protect football," Ward said. "It's a violent sport. If you want to protect it, we need to play flag football."

 

Unfortunately for traditional fans of the game, Ward may prove to be more of a prophet than he'd like.

 

-      Ryan Lawrence