In MMA there are alternative winning methods which decide a large fraction of the matches, even if hitting the head still remains the most frequent method for winning a match before the time limit (strangling is the 2nd most frequent, and unlike head knockouts it does not have persistent effects even when the loser fails to accept defeat, strikes to the liver are the 3rd, then joint locks and strikes to the legs).
Moreover, a MMA fighter has much more effective defense methods than a boxer, so a much lower percentage of the attempts to hit the head of the opponent are successful, in comparison with a boxing match. Also, the lighter MMA gloves do not allow strikes to the head as powerful as in boxing, because those would result in hand injuries.
MMA matches look more gory, because of frequent skin cuts, which result in bleeding, but those pose very little danger in comparison with the strikes to the head given with heavy boxing gloves, which do not produce visible external bleeding but they produce much more harmful internal damage to the brain.
In any case, sports like boxing or MMA are unsuitable for amateurs. They are acceptable only for professionals who are willing to accept the risk of health damage in exchange for a sum of money big enough to allow them an early retirement, hopefully before accumulating too much damage.
But then again I’m generally suspicious of people strongly condemning the free, legal, and informed choices of others.
And yet, when I watch videos of these guys at 50 barely able to speak, it makes me sad, so I support changes that reduce the likelihood of CTE without sacrificing the nature of the sport. Which yes, is inherently violent.
What are your thoughts on how to redesign the line of scrimmage?
Current line of scrimmage situation is the worst case scenario. Linemen are a couple feet away from each other and they start from a crouched position. They explode up and hit the opposing line, very often with their helmet/crown, down after down, 60-70 times a game. You could not plan a better way to get CTE.
1) Neutral zone at the line, they start 2 yards away from each other.
2) Have to start from standing position, and/or:
3) First contact has to be arms
It would be a bit of an adjustment like it was for dynamic kickoff. You're never going to stop all head trauma in a contact sport but the mechanics of the line positions are basically designed for it.
Or would the center be at the ball and do a short long snap to the backfield?
What would be considered a "standing position"? I guess both feet on the ground, can't use hands or arms to brace against the ground or self.
There are some side effects (goodbye tush push) but it drastically reduces helmet contact for those 8-10 players every down.
And indeed, disallowing brace against ground is all you'd need to get the standing result.
The game would change but I don't think it would be existential, more of an evolution. It may even make it more fun to watch. Speed becomes much more important as does general athleticism.