The dislike of face protection isn't that dissimilar to their complete dislike of helmets 20 years ago. The old pros made excuses, the younger player that gre

The dislike of face protection isn't that dissimilar to their complete dislike of helmets 20 years ago. The old pros made excuses, the younger player that grew up wearing them became pros that wear them, now they all do. Cycling also had that same thing,I think it was Andre Kivilev's death that turned it around. I can't remember that last time I heard apro complain about helmets in cycling. PBR bull riders are also rapidly embracing helmets and face guards. The cultures of these sports can rapidly change, the players don't want to be maimed when it's all said and done. The bigger issue, honestly, fans want to see violence and the leagues want to please the fans and make money. Media surrounding the nfl has sold videos of big hits, they used to have a segment on the Sunday pregame on ESPN called "jacked up." The nhl isn't terribly different with fighting, games that aren't mass broadcast are different, if the score becomes too far out of balance it can become a different sport altogether. Lots of talk about teamwork, the sacrifices, the incredible strategies and tactics (aspects of football are beautiful and fascinating) but ultimately it's not much more than gladiator fighting.