Would you let your kids play football?

Recent research from Mass General Brigham reveals that approximately 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head impacts. Despite these alarming findings, football remains a dominant force in American media and culture, largely due to its deep integration with military-style masculinity and its role as a high-stakes economic ladder for marginalized communities. The league’s structure, characterized by non-guaranteed contracts and a lack of long-term health support, leaves players vulnerable, yet the public’s demand for the sport persists. This systemic reliance on football as both a cultural touchstone and a lucrative entertainment product creates a disincentive for meaningful change, as fans and networks continue to prioritize the spectacle over the long-term physical well-being of the athletes.