The event is hosted by Tony Whelan, creator of the Football Kills website. Whelan draws his inspiration from a 2013 article by Canadian sportswriter Cathal Kelly, which questioned the societal indifference toward the dangers of football. Whelan argues that schools must align their athletic programs with modern neurological science to better protect young participants.

The discussion arrives amid broader calls for regulation in high-impact sports, including ice hockey, boxing, and mixed martial arts. Dr. Bennet Omalu has long advocated for age-based restrictions on contact sports, drawing parallels to legal thresholds for alcohol, driving, and voting to emphasize the necessity of safeguarding brain health. The event takes place June 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Table, 1322 Queen St. W, with a livestream available on the Football Kills YouTube channel.