McPeachy said:
Does anyone here think, that in the next 20 years (or so) football as we know it will either not exist, or be so different it won't be recognizable?
And at that point, does it matter what conference you are in? - signed, TB
Absolutely. Being on the inside of the medical world of college sports, you can see the writing on the wall. Just in the last week, the NCAA put out their recommendations (not requirements) for football contact this season. They are recommending that once the season starts (I.E. after fall camp), players have no more than 2 days of contact a week; one of those days is game day obviously. My guess is in the next year or two this will become mandatory.
Also, for the last few years, there have been plenty of neurologists and pediatricians talking about the need to limit contact in smaller kids. I wouldn't be surprised if, in the next 10-15 years, football contact is banned until 14-15 years old. Obviously this would have to be an act of Congress, so we'll see, but I think it should be required, there is no need for 8-years olds to be bashing in to one another.