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, echoing his previous complaints on the issue. ‘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 intended to write the league’s kickoffs look like ‘hell’ until his phone’s autocorrect had other ideas. Regardless, Trump’s complaint centers on what the NFL refers to as its ‘dynamic kickoff’ – a new format implemented into the rule book last year to promote more returns while reducing the risk of serious injury.
‘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?’
Previous tweaks to the NFL’s kickoff format in 2011, 2016 and 2018 did reduce dangerous high-speed collisions, but resulted in more touchbacks and fewer kick returns, much to dismay of fans. There were even calls to scrap kickoffs entirely until the NFL experimented with some changes in 2024 that were made permanent this season with a significant new wrinkle.
Kickers still line up from their own 35-yard line. But, to reduce high-speed collisions, the other 10 players on the kicking team line up from their opponent’s 40-yard line and are prevented from moving until the returning team touches the ball. As a result, the kicking team no longer gets a running start to pummel blockers on the returning team.
NFL kick returns are back as 75 percent of kicks were returned in Week 1. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump still dislikes the format, which was implemented 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.
