Part 6/8:
Recent shifts in culture have also influenced the league’s environment, particularly in relation to hits and penalties. Increased scrutiny regarding player safety has prompted the NFL to adopt stricter regulations on physicality, which some argue diminishes the sport’s fundamental excitement. While player safety is undoubtedly a priority, the overly cautious nature of enforcing these regulations can detract from the raw essence of football that fans love.
Dangerous hits that might have been celebrated in the past now lead to immediate penalties and, at times, ejections. Consequently, the apprehension over physicality has dulled some of the thrills typical in high-stakes football games.