Injury, yet, in a fit of fury where guys are actually fighting, we want to heavily penalize a guy for trying to hurt the other, based on our rules and guidelines...

I feel like we are the Roman emporor giving the Thumb up or Thumb down
at a gladiator fight.

These guys are paid to hit each other as hard as possible, within limits.
That QB could have received a serious head injury in a situation you could argue he instigated.

However, if a 285 pound Defensive lineman runs a 4.6 40 speed directly at the same QB, and knowingly hits him blind side, at full speed, helmet to helmet, and kills him......

He will be out the rest of the game, he gets to come back in the 2nd half of the next game.
Wait, he just killed or severely hurt that QB?? Why is he allowed off the hook?

Well, you see, we give a thumbs up to killing a QB in a pass rush situation, and a thumbs down to Bopping a guy on the head with a helmet when being attacked.

Don't get me wrong, I get it I guess, I'm just surprised at the reaction to this in such a voilent sport.

Have you guys watched hockey? They have sticks and everything.