Complex sentence: The quarterback touches the ball on almost every offensive play, and as his successes and failures can have a significant impact on the fortunes of his team, the quarterback is among the most glorified and scrutinized positions in team sports.
Split into simpler sentences: The quarterback touches the ball on almost every offensive play, and his successes and failures can have a significant impact on the fortunes of his team. Accordingly, the quarterback is among the most glorified and scrutinized positions in team sports.