A few thoughts -
In my own experience in playing contact sports (lacrosse, not football), it's a trained behavior to shake off injuries, avoid trainers, and otherwise ignore your body's warnings of potential harm. This is taught by the coach [or worse, parents]. The encouragement to push yourself beyond natural limits only increases as you progress to the collegiate and professional levels.
The unfortunate effects of competition are that coaches skirt a dangerous line of balancing the star player[s] safety and winning the game, and this behavior is clear to the players lower in the depth chart who wish to become the next star.
Some of the more disturbing things openly shared were how to pass the concussion protocol, that coach will let you take off a week of practice after a hard head hit so don't go to the trainers, and to shake off any and all injuries as you will be rewarded for being tough. I, and any number of my ex-teammates, agree we experienced what are now known as "minor concussions" constantly throughout our season. Only major concussions would go reported. Being able to walk off the field typically meant you had only a minor injury, and could go back in once getting some wind.
The fact that so many are injured during practice goes to show, it's coming from the coach's inaction and not just during the heat of the game.
Under this light, I think Finley is taking a proactive approach to change by inserting himself on the front lines.