Donald Trump dusted off one of his favorite hot takes Monday morning by complaining about the NFL’s evolving kickoff rules on Truth Social.
‘The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule,’ Trump wrote on his social media platform, repeating his prior grievances on the matter. ‘How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly. (sic) It’s at least as dangerous as the “normal” kickoff, and looks like he’ll.’
Presumably, Trump meant to say that the league’s kickoffs look like ‘hell’ until his phone’s autocorrect altered his words. Regardless, Trump’s issue revolves around the NFL’s ‘dynamic kickoff,’ a format introduced last year designed to enhance the number of returns while minimizing the chance of serious injuries.
‘The ball is moving, and the players are not, the exact opposite of what football is all about,’ he continued. ‘”Sissy” football is bad for America, and bad for the NFL! Who comes up with these ridiculous ideas?’
Earlier changes to the NFL’s kickoff format in 2011, 2016, and 2018 successfully decreased dangerous high-speed collisions, yet led to more touchbacks and fewer kick returns, much to the disapproval of fans. There were even suggestions to eliminate kickoffs altogether until the NFL trialed some modifications in 2024, which became permanent this season with a significant new addition.
Kickers still initiate from their own 35-yard line. However, to cut down on high-speed collisions, the remaining 10 players on the kicking team position themselves on their opponent’s 40-yard line and can’t move until the receiving team makes contact with the ball. Consequently, the kicking team loses the running start typically used to tackle blockers on the returning team.
NFL kick returns have returned, with 75 percent of kicks being returned in Week 1. Yet, President Donald Trump continues to express disapproval of the format, introduced last year, as he explained.
New Orleans Saints place kicker Charlie Smyth kicks off from his own 35. Meanwhile, off camera, his teammates are lined up at their opponents’ 40-yard line
Trump continues to criticize the NFL’s rules on kickoffs, which appear to be popular with fans
The NFL further tweaked its kickoff rules this year by moving touchbacks up to the 35-yard line. Consequently, kicking teams now have motive to boot the ball just shy of the end zone to deny their opponents advantageous field position.
The decision has already had a major impact: In Week 1, for instance, 75 percent of kicks were returned, which was the highest rate of any week since the 2010 season.
For comparison, just 33.3 percent of kicks were returned in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, before touchbacks were moved up to the 35-yard line.
But despite the league’s success in reviving a dormant aspect of the game, Trump remained displeased on Monday.
‘It’s like wanting to “roll back” the golf ball so it doesn’t go (nearly!) as far,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social, grasping for a golf analogy. ‘Fortunately, college football will remain the same, hopefully forever!!’
Despite Trump’s complaints, many fans have been delighted to see kick returns reemerging as an important aspect of the game.
‘I repeat,’ one fan wrote, ‘the NFL has done a good job with making the kickoff safer and still keeping it relevant and exciting. Took a few years to get here but it’s in a good spot.’
‘Interesting shift!’ another wrote on X. ‘NFL’s new rule clearly working as intended – actually getting returns instead of endless touchbacks.’
Trump did have some supporters who agreed with him as well.
‘Thank you President Trump!’ one supporter wrote on X. ‘Their (sic) trying to make this game for crybaby’s (sic)! You should fine them for every time the inforce (sic) this stupid rule.’
There were seven kick returns for a touchdown last season. Thus far in 2025, New England’s Antonio Gibson is the only returner to take a kick back for a touchdown.
