NFL, football and violence in sports - where is the line?

ESPN and Grantland.com editor / writer / creator Bill Simmons has a thoughtful and candid article on the current NFL's actions against the New Orleans Saints and its coaches / players. Simmons includes links to organizations doing research on the effects of violent impacts on young and adult athletes. The challenge faced by youth, college and professional sports is where to draw the line. The impacts given and taken by athletes in sports like football and hockey are parts of each sports appeal. Yet, the damage caused by the sports to athletes appears to only becoming more severe. So where is the line where the hits are part of the game and when they cross the line and are not? Simmons rightly observes that line is far from clear.