Very Few people, and this includes the top competitive weightlifters, keep a good back position on a heavy deadlift. The football player can build the same power in the lower back through the other suggested exercises without the risk of injury. It is a core exercise. I used this system for three of my four years in High-School. Deadlifts will strengthen the hip gridle and erectors like no other exercise.
Squats are close but, they hit a little different area.
Low man wins and if you cant' function low you WON'T win the battle. I wholeheartedly endorse DL's from a perspective of someone who has utilized them through a football career. From my point of view deadlifting is a great erxercise for everyone to powerlifters to the average get in shaper. Allthough for football bench presses, squats, and power cleans are probally more specific to fottball. The overall stength that can be obtained from doing deadlifts should not be ignored.