[Football24_7]

The actual ideal situation is a kid that is physically conditioned in the correct manner combined with equipment that is fit to the individual. One or the other isn't the best situation either.

True enough. My point was...

it could be DANGEROUS to give TOO much emphasis to the EQUIPMENT you're wearing.

It would be a VERY bad thing for a kid to be under the FALSE assumption that as long as he has "top of the line" "well-fitting" shoulder pads and helmet, that he is doing the BEST possible thing to keep him from injury...despite the fact that "best you can remember" none of yours that don't lift has ever has gotten hurt.

I would assert that of the two, what physical shape your BODY is in (specifically referring to SHOULDERS especially) is MORE important than the brand, type, etc. of shoulder pads you are wearing (I would hope the "fitting" part goes without saying).