Part 5/11:
The NFL's troubles aren’t limited to a decline in current play but are rooted in long-standing concerns about player safety. The 10-15 years since the 2006 concussion scandal shattered the league’s reputation regarding player health. Although the league survived the immediate fallout, the aftermath has been profound:
Participation in high school football has declined by 17% since 2006.
In 2022, high school football participation dipped below 1 million for the first time ever.
Youth football participation dropped by about 13% from 2019 to 2022.