Game Changer: Experts Say Health Risks to Put Football in Hands of Low-Income, Minority Players - Higher Education

Game Changer: Experts Say Health Risks to Put Football in Hands of Low-Income, Minority Players - Higher Education: These are not the best of times for football, arguably America’s most popular sport. Although football’s popularity remains at a frenzied high and continues to generate substantial revenue in the pros and for many leading collegiate programs, the sport is in the midst of its toughest PR campaign in a century.

First, there was the steady drizzle of news reports and medical studies that suggested a link between concussions sustained playing football and brain damage. Initially, NFL officials denied there was a link. Then earlier this year, the NFL settled a class-action lawsuit brought on by more than 4,500 former players for $765 million. The money will be used to help offset the costs of some of the medical expenses incurred as a result of concussions suffered as players. In recent months, several former college football players have filed lawsuits against the NCAA for concussions they allege they sustained as student players.