AF is considered to be the world's most dangerous sport if you look at number of injuries weighted by severity. If you ask me, that's precisely why it's a "terrible sport". Insinuating it's lacking in some degree of toxic masculinity simply sounds ignorant.

[–] n3m37h@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sorry for the joke, this is my actual belief. The more "padded" someone is the more careless they will be because they think they are safe.

I certainly know rugby has its dangers, but when you play by the rules it is leaps and bounds safer than AF

[–] stardust@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

There was a time they played without helmets and

Between 1965 and 1969, more than 100 players at all levels died of brain injuries, an average of about 20 per year—about the same number as died in 1905, but from brain injuries alone.

https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/may-2012/a-brief-history-of-football-head-injuries-and-a-look-towards-the-future/

So it's just a stupid sport to begin with whether there is padding or not due to the whole bashing into each other from opposite ends every single play.