American Football however is a very physical game and the chance to be hurt, even seriously hurt is quite a bit higher. There have even been a few catastrophic injuries involving paralysis, but that is highly rare.
This is of course why the sport insists on pads and helmets. Unfortunately, this has a perverse negative impact of meaning that players feel protected and so play even faster and harder. The use of the helmet as a weapon when striking another player leads to problems.
However, the risks of football are well within the bounds of acceptable. Bones and tendons heal, and as much fun as the sport is to watch, it's even more fun to play.