President Donald Trump, in a post Monday on Truth Social, criticized the NFL’s newly revised kickoff rule, calling it “sissy football” and urging the league to abandon the changes. He argued the rule not only diminishes the game’s traditional vigor, but is “at least as dangerous as the ‘normal’ kickoff, and looks like hell.”
What Trump Says
“The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule,” Trump wrote. “The ball is moving, and the players are not, the exact opposite of what football is all about. ‘Sissy’ football is bad for America, and bad for the NFL!”
He also denounced the speed at which the change took effect. “How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly,” he asked. He compared the format to changes in other sports, saying it undermines the very identity of football.
Under the rule approved before the 2024 season, players on the kicking team begin from the opponent’s 40-yard line and must remain stationary until the ball is caught or hits the ground. The receiving team is aligned to encourage returns, and kickoffs leading to touchbacks now place the ball at the 35-yard line rather than the 30.
The impetus for the revision comes from concern over injuries, especially concussions. Previous kickoff formats were associated with some of the highest rates of head injury in the game. League officials sought a safer format without sacrificing excitement.
Early in the 2025 season, with these changes in play, the return rate for kickoffs rose significantly — to roughly 76.9 percent through the first two weeks. That is more than double last season’s rate under the new format and the highest since 2009.
Meanwhile, concussion rates during kickoffs reportedly dropped by about 43 percent. League experts say this confirms the safety benefits of the rule.
Still, critics like Trump maintain that the rule erodes football’s intensity and clarity. Trump’s view reflects concern among fans who fear overregulation dilutes the sport.
Proponents of the new rule contend safety must come first. The NFL has long struggled to reduce injuries without eliminating dynamic plays like kickoffs. This rule attempt represents an effort to find compromise.
Others believe that the traditional, high-impact kickoff is part of what makes football compelling. They see any sanitizing effort as a loss of spectacle. Trump’s comments tap into that sentiment.