Donald Trump attacks NFL's new kickoff rule, 'sissy football' in Truth Social post Jack McKessy, USA TODAYSeptember 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM 0 The NFL's newlook kickoff, which began in 2024, can largely be measured as a success.
- - Donald Trump attacks NFL's new kickoff rule, 'sissy football' in Truth Social post
Jack McKessy, USA TODAYSeptember 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
0
The NFL's new-look kickoff, which began in 2024, can largely be measured as a success. Return rates are up significantly, adding excitement to a play that had become largely routine and insignificant, while injuries were also reduced.
President Donald Trump still isn't a fan of the change.
The President of the United States took to Truth Social, the social networking site that he launched in 2022, to lament the change, one year and two weeks after the new kickoff made its NFL debut.
"The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule," he wrote Monday morning. "How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly. It's at least as dangerous as the 'normal' kickoff, and looks like hell. 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! Who comes up with these ridiculous ideas? It's like wanting to 'roll back' the golf ball so it doesn't go (nearly!) as far. Fortunately, college football will remain the same, hopefully forever!!"
Donald Trump with Marla Maples at a University of Arizona basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 27, 1990.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rIHZgLq class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump with Marla Maples at a University of Arizona basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 27, 1990.
">Donald Trump with Marla Maples at a University of Arizona basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 27, 1990.
" src=https://ift.tt/rIHZgLq class=caas-img>
Marla Maples and then husband Donald Trump greet race driver Lyn St. James prior to the inaugural Indy 200 race at Walt Disney World on Jan. 27, 1996. Buzz Calkins won the race on the new Disney 1.1 mile tri-oval track.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZvKHwuV class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Marla Maples and then husband Donald Trump greet race driver Lyn St. James prior to the inaugural Indy 200 race at Walt Disney World on Jan. 27, 1996. Buzz Calkins won the race on the new Disney 1.1 mile tri-oval track.
">Marla Maples and then husband Donald Trump greet race driver Lyn St. James prior to the inaugural Indy 200 race at Walt Disney World on Jan. 27, 1996. Buzz Calkins won the race on the new Disney 1.1 mile tri-oval track.
" src=https://ift.tt/ZvKHwuV class=caas-img>
Donald Trump and actor Gerard Butler watch the tennis match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during Day 14 of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/baQMvTR class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump and actor Gerard Butler watch the tennis match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during Day 14 of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
">Donald Trump and actor Gerard Butler watch the tennis match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during Day 14 of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/baQMvTR class=caas-img>
Donald Trump looks on as Maria Sharapova takes on Heather Watson during Day 1 of the 2011 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 29, 2011, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cGXvjen class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump looks on as Maria Sharapova takes on Heather Watson during Day 1 of the 2011 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 29, 2011, in New York.
">Donald Trump looks on as Maria Sharapova takes on Heather Watson during Day 1 of the 2011 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 29, 2011, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/cGXvjen class=caas-img>
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, attend a match between Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo at the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 4, 2013, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/snlbhdB class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, attend a match between Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo at the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 4, 2013, in New York.
">Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, attend a match between Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo at the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 4, 2013, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/snlbhdB class=caas-img>
Donald Trump attends the middleweight championship bout between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale at Madison Square Garden on July 26, 2014.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0geEzc2 class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump attends the middleweight championship bout between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale at Madison Square Garden on July 26, 2014.
">Donald Trump attends the middleweight championship bout between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale at Madison Square Garden on July 26, 2014.
" src=https://ift.tt/0geEzc2 class=caas-img>
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the match between Serena Williams and Venus Williams at the 2015 U.S. Open on Sept. 8, 2015, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/V7haNMo class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the match between Serena Williams and Venus Williams at the 2015 U.S. Open on Sept. 8, 2015, in New York.
">Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the match between Serena Williams and Venus Williams at the 2015 U.S. Open on Sept. 8, 2015, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/V7haNMo class=caas-img>Presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the fight between Gennady Golovkin against David Lemieux bout at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17, 2015, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Dog1vAN class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the fight between Gennady Golovkin against David Lemieux bout at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17, 2015, in New York.
">Presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the fight between Gennady Golovkin against David Lemieux bout at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17, 2015, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/Dog1vAN class=caas-img>
President-elect Donald Trump during the first quarter of the 117th annual Army-Navy college football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 10, 2016.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ISa2dDw class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President-elect Donald Trump during the first quarter of the 117th annual Army-Navy college football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 10, 2016.
">President-elect Donald Trump during the first quarter of the 117th annual Army-Navy college football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 10, 2016.
" src=https://ift.tt/ISa2dDw class=caas-img>President Donald Trump waves during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open Championship at Trump National Golf Course on July 14, 2017, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yIBKcq8 class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump waves during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open Championship at Trump National Golf Course on July 14, 2017, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
">President Donald Trump waves during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open Championship at Trump National Golf Course on July 14, 2017, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
" src=https://ift.tt/yIBKcq8 class=caas-img>President Donald Trump speaks with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan during the final round of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Liberty National Golf Course on Oct. 1, 2017.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7XkD1eq class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump speaks with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan during the final round of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Liberty National Golf Course on Oct. 1, 2017.
">President Donald Trump speaks with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan during the final round of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Liberty National Golf Course on Oct. 1, 2017.
" src=https://ift.tt/7XkD1eq class=caas-img>President Donald Trump points to fans prior to the College Football Playoff national championship between Georgia and Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wndkW5A class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump points to fans prior to the College Football Playoff national championship between Georgia and Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta.
">President Donald Trump points to fans prior to the College Football Playoff national championship between Georgia and Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta.
" src=https://ift.tt/wndkW5A class=caas-img>
First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump stand during the national anthem prior to the College Football Playoff national championship game between Clemson and LSU at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/A06gIcP class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump stand during the national anthem prior to the College Football Playoff national championship game between Clemson and LSU at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans.
">First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump stand during the national anthem prior to the College Football Playoff national championship game between Clemson and LSU at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans.
" src=https://ift.tt/A06gIcP class=caas-img>
President Donald Trump during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 14, 2019.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xBSqgDa class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 14, 2019.
">President Donald Trump during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 14, 2019.
" src=https://ift.tt/xBSqgDa class=caas-img>
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand on pit road for the national anthem as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2020.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YhydLZa class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand on pit road for the national anthem as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2020.
">President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand on pit road for the national anthem as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2020.
" src=https://ift.tt/YhydLZa class=caas-img>President Donald Trump and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera met with youth baseball players to celebrate Major League Baseball's Opening Day on July 23, 2020.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/K5Sg1kh class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera met with youth baseball players to celebrate Major League Baseball's Opening Day on July 23, 2020.
">President Donald Trump and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera met with youth baseball players to celebrate Major League Baseball's Opening Day on July 23, 2020.
" src=https://ift.tt/K5Sg1kh class=caas-img>
Donald Trump looks on during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KA14Jij class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump looks on during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas.
">Donald Trump looks on during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/KA14Jij class=caas-img>Former first lady Melania Trump and former President Donald Trump hold up signs for "stand up to cancer" prior to the sixth inning in Game 4 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves on Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6BOKmNU class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Former first lady Melania Trump and former President Donald Trump hold up signs for "stand up to cancer" prior to the sixth inning in Game 4 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves on Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta.
">Former first lady Melania Trump and former President Donald Trump hold up signs for "stand up to cancer" prior to the sixth inning in Game 4 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves on Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta.
" src=https://ift.tt/6BOKmNU class=caas-img>Donald Trump plays his shot from the 16th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 28, 2022, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/q23KThu class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump plays his shot from the 16th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 28, 2022, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
">Donald Trump plays his shot from the 16th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 28, 2022, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
" src=https://ift.tt/q23KThu class=caas-img>Then former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd during the NCAA Division I wrestling championships at the BOK Center on March 18, 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YqsQBX1 class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Then former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd during the NCAA Division I wrestling championships at the BOK Center on March 18, 2023.
">Then former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd during the NCAA Division I wrestling championships at the BOK Center on March 18, 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/YqsQBX1 class=caas-img>Donald Trump attends the fight between Raul Rosas Jr. and Christian Rodriguez during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena on April 8, 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ol26mqK class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump attends the fight between Raul Rosas Jr. and Christian Rodriguez during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena on April 8, 2023.
">Donald Trump attends the fight between Raul Rosas Jr. and Christian Rodriguez during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena on April 8, 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/ol26mqK class=caas-img>Pat Perez shakes hands with then former President Donald Trump on the 18th green during the first round of the LIV Golf DC 2023 tournament at Trump National Golf Club on May 25, 2023, in Sterling, Virginia.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4qUVKhx class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Pat Perez shakes hands with then former President Donald Trump on the 18th green during the first round of the LIV Golf DC 2023 tournament at Trump National Golf Club on May 25, 2023, in Sterling, Virginia.
">Pat Perez shakes hands with then former President Donald Trump on the 18th green during the first round of the LIV Golf DC 2023 tournament at Trump National Golf Club on May 25, 2023, in Sterling, Virginia.
" src=https://ift.tt/4qUVKhx class=caas-img>Donald Trump waves to a supporter while attending the college football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9hBSstw class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump waves to a supporter while attending the college football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023.
">Donald Trump waves to a supporter while attending the college football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/9hBSstw class=caas-img>
Donald Trump watches from the stands during the title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NkIldMf class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Donald Trump watches from the stands during the title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas.
">Donald Trump watches from the stands during the title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/NkIldMf class=caas-img>
Then former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks with team owner Richard Childress prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024, in Concord, North Carolina.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XUlu86K class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Then former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks with team owner Richard Childress prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024, in Concord, North Carolina.
">Then former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks with team owner Richard Childress prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024, in Concord, North Carolina.
" src=https://ift.tt/XUlu86K class=caas-img>Former President Donald Trump talks with UFC president Dana White during the fight between Cesar Almeida and Roman Kopylov during UFC 302 on June 1, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UH9mejT class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Former President Donald Trump talks with UFC president Dana White during the fight between Cesar Almeida and Roman Kopylov during UFC 302 on June 1, 2024.
">Former President Donald Trump talks with UFC president Dana White during the fight between Cesar Almeida and Roman Kopylov during UFC 302 on June 1, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/UH9mejT class=caas-img>Republican presidential candidate and then former President Donald Trump raises his fist during the second quarter of the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WYlqX4P class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Republican presidential candidate and then former President Donald Trump raises his fist during the second quarter of the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
">Republican presidential candidate and then former President Donald Trump raises his fist during the second quarter of the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
" src=https://ift.tt/WYlqX4P class=caas-img>
President Donald Trump sits with Elon Musk and Musk's son as they watch English fighter Paddy Pimblett celebrate winning during UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 13, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RldV6E1 class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump sits with Elon Musk and Musk's son as they watch English fighter Paddy Pimblett celebrate winning during UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 13, 2025.
">President Donald Trump sits with Elon Musk and Musk's son as they watch English fighter Paddy Pimblett celebrate winning during UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 13, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/RldV6E1 class=caas-img>
First lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attend the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 championship match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on July 13, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/E1cBi0X class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
First lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attend the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 championship match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on July 13, 2025.
">First lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attend the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 championship match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on July 13, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/E1cBi0X class=caas-img>Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy with teammates and President Donald Trump during the award ceremony for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Champions at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iLZE7x9 class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy with teammates and President Donald Trump during the award ceremony for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Champions at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025.
">Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy with teammates and President Donald Trump during the award ceremony for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Champions at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/iLZE7x9 class=caas-img>President Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Pam Bondi and Jared Kushner stand for the national anthem prior to the men's singles final match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Day 15 of the 2025 US Open on Sept. 7, 2025, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/E6DwRvn class=caas-img data-headline="Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more" data-caption="
President Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Pam Bondi and Jared Kushner stand for the national anthem prior to the men's singles final match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Day 15 of the 2025 US Open on Sept. 7, 2025, in New York.
">President Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Pam Bondi and Jared Kushner stand for the national anthem prior to the men's singles final match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Day 15 of the 2025 US Open on Sept. 7, 2025, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/E6DwRvn class=caas-img>
1 / 76Donald Trump in the sports world: NFL games, UFC events and more
Donald Trump with Marla Maples at a University of Arizona basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 27, 1990.
What is the new kickoff rule?
The NFL made its big kickoff rule change ahead of the 2024 season, with 29 of 32 NFL owners voting to implement the "dynamic kickoff."
The rule change features new alignment guidelines for the kicking and returning teams, creates a "landing zone" for the kicker to aim for between the end zone and the opposite 20-yard line, and moves where the ball is spotted after a touchback from the 25-yard line up to the 30-yard line.
The players that aren't the kicker or two returners now line up between five and 10 yards away from each other between the return team's 30- and 40-yard lines.
OPINION: NFL sends mixed message with moment of silence for Charlie Kirk
Kicked balls that don't end up in the landing zone are treated as a kickoff out of bounds penalty, and the return team begins its ensuing possession on its own 40.
The league's aim was to increase the rate of returned kickoffs, which dropped to an all-time low of 21.8% in 2023, while decreasing the rate of injuries on the play.
In 2024, teams and players returned kickoffs at a 32.8% clip, an 11-point increase from 2023.
During the most recent offseason, NFL team owners made the new kickoff rule permanent with an additional tweak: the ball would be spotted at the 35-yard line after touchbacks to further discourage balls kicked past the landing zone.
Through Week 1 of this season, kickoffs saw a surge in returns to 75.6%, the highest rate in any week since 2010.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump attacks NFL kickoff rule, 'sissy football' in post
Source: "AOL Sports"
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