This season, the NFL rolled out a new kickoff format, but United States President-elect Donald Trump is clearly not a fan.
The new “dynamic kickoff” was introduced to encourage more kickoff returns. Under the new system, players from the kicking team are positioned at the opposition’s 40-yard line instead of behind the kicker. This closer starting point is meant to reduce high-speed collisions between the kicking team and the receiving team.
Under this rule, a designated “landing zone” extends from the receiving team’s goal line to the 20-yard line. Two returners are placed within this zone and, aside from the kicker, are the only players allowed to move before the ball touches down.
The new kickoff format has been met with mixed reviews from fans, but Donald Trump is clearly against the new rules.
On Sunday, he took to Truth Social to demand that the NFL change the rule.
“The NFL should get rid of the ridiculous new Kickoff Rule!” he wrote.
This is not the first time that Trump has complained about the kickoff rule this season.
“I hated seeing what the NFL did with the kickoff return. Saw it tonight at the Steelers/Jets game. When you have something that works, don’t ‘tinker’ with it, you may end up with nothing!” Trump wrote back in October.
In September, Trump went as far as to suggest that this rule change was the “beginning of the end” for the NFL.
“I can’t believe the NFL is effectively getting rid of the always exciting Kick Off Return,” Trump wrote. “Such an exciting part of Football. What are they doing? BEGINNING OF THE END!”
We’ll have to see whether or not the NFL changes the rules back after this season.
