Serious question: Can football survive, over the long haul? I have strong doubts it will even exist in twenty years.
Serious answer: Football will look nothing like it does now in 20 years. IMO no helmets, shoulder pads. Will look more like rugby or 7 on 7 passing drills than what we see today.
Final nail in coffin will be first school district to stop offering football for liability/safety issues.
You can't remove helmets and play football.
Exactly. 20 years might be too soon, but unless they can develop helmets that are sponge like and can completely protect the head against any blunt force or trauma the drumbeat to eliminate the sport/parents not letting their kids play because of safety concerns will grow louder. Thought I read 11 h.s. players have died this year. How many more were paralyzed? That's going to be the narrative going forward.