As someone that had long hair when I played I pretty much agree with you on everything besides it being a fashion statement.
Wearing it loose or in a ponytail
it would end up coming out of whatever I had keeping it out of my face and had to constantly adust it coming off the field. Then I threw them in braids and they'd get stuck in the crevasses of the helmet and would be yanked around anytime my helmet moved.
The sweat was bad too. It would kind of pool up and when you hit someone it would run down your face temporarily blinding you.