This issue deserves the research and attention it’s getting.
Yes, this research deserves attention. Sports can cause all sorts of injuries but there is no reason we can’t minimize the worst, and brain injuries, dementia, are surely some of the worst. Penalties for obvious or deliberate blows to the head can be made more severe, and helmets and neck protection can improve as technology makes protective gear better and lighter over the years. In all sports.
We don’t want bubble wrapped tiddly winks players. We want real athleticism and field “combat” but we can certainly use the information to make sports safer and yet retain excitement and risk.
No argument, there, many of the best and brightest (with leadership potential) spend their high school years playing football. The research might lead to better concussion protection for our troops as well.