Concussions

The NFL is being pressured into taking steps to reduce the occurrence of concussions by the media and fans right now.  Reducing concussions is a great goal, especially since concussions have been shown to cause brain damage, alter personalities and cause Alzheimers later in life.  Football players at every level from Pee-wee on up through high school, college and the professional leagues should be required to wear better protective gear and use tactics on the field that reduce concussions.  To this end, even Congress has recently held hearings on concussions.

However, I have one important question:

Why is boxing legal at all?

The sole goal of the support is to knock out your opponent: essentially give them such a severe concussion that they lose consciousness.

Boxing is barbaric and should be banned.