Why do the players wear so much protective padding?
The equipment allows the game to be played to its full potential by reducing the risk of serious and possibly fatal injuries. It is a brutal and physically demanding sport. Unlike rugby, American football is more of an impact, collision sport and scientific tests have proven that being tackled by an NFL linebacker in full flight is akin to being knocked down by a fully-grown rhinoceros. The early days of American football saw very little padding worn by players but then-US president Theodore Roosevelt made sweeping changes and introduced protective equipment after 18 players died and 149 were seriously injured during the 1905 college football season. Equipment today is relatively light but very safe.
