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.