A few years ago, critics accused the NFL of racism, inadequate player safety, and lax punishments for players accused of domestic violence. How did the NFL convince people it's changed?
Just a few years ago, the NFL seemed to be facing compounding existential crises. New studies revealed that playing football put people at a significant risk of severe degenerative brain damage. Players were committing acts of shocking criminal violence. The country’s political polarization meant there were dueling boycotts over players kneeling during the national anthem and the league’s response to it.