The sorry confusion over violence rests on two things. The first is the bad habit of using the term violence as a general term of condemnation, as though being violent necessarily meant being immoral. But a hurricane is not more immoral than a gentle breeze, although it is considerably more violent. Nor is a softly spoken insult less immoral than a great shout of appreciation, even though the insult is considerably less violent. If we observe how the word violence is used in contexts where speakers are not trying to make debating points, we see that violence usually describes events involving some vigorous physical interaction, usually to the point of risking damage or harm.
Football is violent.
Many sports are. But it is these very elements of risk and vigorousness that make them attractive. They give spice to life. Now there are people who like spicy food and those who don't. But we seldom give persistent ear to individuals who condemn spicy foods because they find them not to their taste.