As an American who is only very casually interested in American football, I can say this would not be the way to my heart. I was super disappointed to learn that, in spite of all the padding, serious and lifelong injuries are common, because the one thing I liked about American football is the all-out, incredibly powerful, even gymnastic action these players demonstrate. Now I can't really enjoy this sport asking so much of its athletes, but on the other hand I'm not interested in watching people struggle against each other less dramatically (and still not without serious injury).
I'm probably not the audience they're going for anyway, but that's just my take.