On the morning of Monday, September 15, 2025, Truth Social, the social media platform owned by Donald Trump, hosted a fiery tirade. The former president, never one to shy away from sharing his opinions, critiqued the new kickoff rule implemented by the NFL. ‘Sissy football,’ as Trump’s post dubbed it, was a term used to express his dissatisfaction with the changes introduced.
Trump’s critique of the kickoff rule embodied his no-nonsense approach coupled with his expansive knowledge about sports. The rule, which originated before the 2024 season, came into effect after team owners conducted it at a vote in New York. The NFL’s primary goal was to make kickoffs more secure and enable more returns, but Trump fervently disagreed with this sentiment.
In the early hours of that eventful Monday, Trump took to his platform to express his stark opposition. His post declared, ‘The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule.’ Epitomizing his candid and direct style, he argued that the new set play was just as risky as the traditional method.
Continuing his critique, Trump expressed that the new rule contravened the core essence of the sport. He remarked, ‘The ball is moving, and the players are not, the exact opposite of what football is all about.’ ‘Sissy’ football, as he labelled it, according to him, was detrimental to both America and its cherished NFL.
In true Trump style, he found an intriguing analogy in the sport of golf to further argue against the NFL’s changes. He compared the new rule to the idea of decreasing the permissible distance of golf balls’ flight, another example of unnecessary modifications to the fundamental elements of a game, according to him.
He concluded his argument by drawing attention to college football, which had so far resisted such changes. In no uncertain terms, Trump stated that he hoped this steadfastness would continue. He made it clear that major changes were undesirable, emphasizing his love for maintaining traditional elements in sports.
Back in March 2024, when the NFL officially introduced the kickoff rule, almost unanimous support, with 29 out of 32 owners agreeing to the development. The organization’s stated objective resonated with the owners: minimize head injuries while making returns more exciting. However, this did not impress Trump, even if it appealed to the majority.
The rule introduced a defined ‘landing zone’ between the end zone and the 20-yard line, an area where the kicker aims the ball. Further, players were directed to align themselves 5-10 yards apart between the 30 and 40 of the return team, waiting for the ball to be in play before initiating movement. This was a significant departure from traditional norms, another point of contention for Trump.
The guidelines extended to cover accuracies as well. If the kick deviates from the landing zone or goes beyond the boundaries, the opposing team would gain possession at the 40. Touchbacks were initially set to the 30, later modified to the 35 in the 2025 off season.
Interestingly, the data suggested that the rule changes had an immediate and noticeable effect. In 2023, only about one fifth of kickoffs were returned, a figure that jumped to just under a third in the subsequent year, 2024. This upward trend continued and increased exponentially in the following season. In Week 1 of 2025, the return rate soared to 75.6%, the highest weekly total since 2010.
The most persuasive argument for the new rule layout came from the injury statistics. According to reports from the NFL, the advent of the rule led to a significant decrease in concussions caused by kickoffs, dropping them by about 43%. The NFL views this as vindication that their new setup is an improvement, frustrating critics like Trump who oppose the visual aesthetics.
However, Trump’s stance, while disregarded by the great majority, is still noteworthy. Despite the good intentions of the NFL, the widespread acceptance of the rule change, and the perceived benefits, Trump fervently clings to the belief that the sport should remain true to its roots.
In conclusion, Trump’s passionate critique of the NFL’s kickoff rule sparked significant conversation, even prompting some to question the changes. His argument stands firm that even if the rule has safety and excitement merits, it fails to uphold the traditions of the sport. Despite facing odds, Trump continues to champion the preservation of classic principles in sports.
The post Trump Stands Against NFL’s New Kickoff Rule: A Fight for Traditions appeared first on Real News Now.
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