The way I think it may change is the way most cultural changes happen: the aggregate of small decisions made by individuals. As more understanding of the event

The way I think it may change is the way most cultural changes happen: the aggregate of small decisions made by individuals. As more understanding of the eventualities (not "risk") of brain damage become ingrained in how people view football, perceptions may change. I think people may start to view football more as say, smoking. More parents may not sign up their kids for football, or discourage them from playing in high school. Kids may make the decision themselves, as they will grow up with the eventualities as background information. With less players in the pipeline, football programs may shrink. I know the standard objection is still "some players, particularly poorer players, will still play." And that may be true, but the NFL and college teams power is that football is culturally significant. And it's culturally significant because so many people see it as the main American sport. It's quite possible more people will not see it as the main American sport, which will decrease its cultural significance, which can decrease the power and influence of the NFL, college and even high school teams. I'm not saying this will happen, but that it may happen. I do think it's likely.