Trump criticises NFL’s dynamic kickoff rule
Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the NFL’s controversial “dynamic kickoff” rule, calling it “ridiculous” and claiming it has stripped the sport of its excitement and glamour, reports BritPanorama.
The US president posted his latest criticism on Truth Social on Sunday evening while preparing to watch his appearance on 60 Minutes. He expressed his disdain for the new format, arguing it detracts from the tradition and pageantry of the game.
Trump, an outspoken fan of American football and long-time critic of the league’s rule changes, appeared to be following the matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs when he launched his attack. “I HATE WATCHING THE NFL’S NEW KICK OFF RULE,” he wrote.
“IT’S RIDICULOUS — TAKES THE PAGEANTRY AND GLAMOUR AWAY FROM THE GAME, AND DOES NOTHING FOR SAFETY. THEY SHOULD CHANGE BACK TO WHAT IT USED TO BE. HOPEFULLY COLLEGE FOOTBALL WILL NEVER MAKE THIS RIDICULOUS CHANGE! IN THE MEANTIME, I’M GETTING READY TO WATCH PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP (ME!) ON 60 MINUTES.”
The “dynamic kickoff” rule, first introduced in 2024 and made permanent this season, was designed to make kick returns more frequent while minimising the risk of high-speed collisions. Under the new format, kickers still launch the ball from their own 35-yard line, but the remaining 10 players line up on the opposing team’s 40-yard line and are not allowed to move until the returner touches the ball.
This adjustment eliminates the traditional running start that previously led to powerful, often dangerous impacts between opposing players. Although the NFL argues the change enhances player safety, critics say it diminishes one of the sport’s most dramatic and unpredictable plays.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his disdain for the adjustment, arguing that it undermines the game’s spectacle without meaningfully improving safety. His latest comments continue a pattern of public statements attacking the league’s leadership and its handling of player welfare reforms.
The kickoff format has been the subject of heated debate for over a decade. Earlier rule changes in 2011, 2016, and 2018 reduced serious collisions but led to a steep decline in kick returns, prompting some fans and analysts to lament the loss of excitement from special teams play.
Currently, the NFL is facing a divide among fans and players regarding the balance between safety and entertainment. Trump’s outburst reflects a wider sentiment among those who believe that changes to the rules impede the traditional flow and enjoyment of the game.
As the president’s post gained traction online, supporters and detractors alike weighed in on his remarks, signalling that the debate surrounding the dynamic kickoff rule will likely continue as long as it remains in place.
In a sport where every new rule seems to stir contention, this latest row indicates that for some, nostalgia for the game’s past will always clash with the relentless drive for safety in the modern era.
