It actually is a regular job. They're contract employees. If the NFLPA went on strike and we had scab football, I'd still watch. I like football.
I also don't buy the "they should get lifetime health insurance because what they do is special" argument. They should get lifetime health insurance because most football players are stupid and can't manage their finances, so it would be relatively easy to keep their packaged compensation in the same value ballpark while protecting them from themselves.
Sorry to be harsh, but the idea that only football players get hurt on the job is ridiculous. Everybody who has ever worked in construction, agriculture, or a warehouse says hello.
To compare construction, agriculture or a warehouse to the brutality of football is asinine, ridiculous, ignorant.
A normal knee surgery costs around $50,000. When the NFL player is 54 and has to have surgery because of his playing days, he is just supposed to fork over 50k, because ya know, budget your money and all.