I would assume the primary, functional purpose would be to reduce the whiplash effect. By introducing additional compression, you are lengthening the time over which the force is applied and the change of direction occurs...
That's a terrible analogy.
It's about lessening the transfer of kinetic energy.
A better analogy would be wrapping an egg in bubble wrap and dropping it. The chance of the yolk breaking is lessened compared to without the bubble wrap...
A very sane, logical reply.
The prices are what they are because people are willing to pay them.
If you aren't willing to pay those prices, then you aren't the target demographic...
FYI - here's a couple pictures of my wife - a former Kilgore College Rangerette - on the field during pregame with the current Rettes and another 700-something former Rettes...