Chris Borland’s decision to retire from the NFL at age 24, citing concerns over his health, seems to be further proof that if America’s true pastime is ever going to confront itself, the confrontation won't be forced from the outside. It isn’t going to come from crabby columnists or TV screamers or nervous sponsors or even a commissioner, as bumbling as a commissioner may be. It won’t come from tailgaters or face-painters or the really annoying guy who brings the drum to Section 235.

If football is forced to confront football,...