Donald Trump has not yet been sworn in for his second term as President of the United States—that ceremony will take place in January—but he’s already making his opinions known, and it seems that an NFL rule change is high on his list of concerns. The soon-to-be 47th President was active on social media during the first NFL Sunday following the 2024 presidential election, voicing his strong views on the league’s new kickoff rule.
Trump, who emerged victorious over Kamala Harris in the race to secure 270 electoral college votes, took to social media to share his thoughts on the National Football League in 2024. In addition to expressing admiration for San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa, Trump made it clear that he strongly disapproves of a recent change to the league’s rules regarding kickoffs.
Trump’s social media post on Truth Social was blunt and to the point, calling for an end to what he described as a “ridiculous” rule. “The NFL should get rid of the ridiculous new Kickoff Rule!” Trump wrote on Sunday afternoon.
The new kickoff rule, which was introduced by the NFL this season, follows a model that was initially used in the XFL. Under the current system, the kicker stands alone while the rest of the kickoff and return teams line up just five yards apart, stationed at the opposite 40- and 35-yard lines.
The intent behind the change is to improve player safety by reducing the speed and intensity of collisions that typically occur during traditional kickoffs. However, it’s clear that not everyone—including Trump—is on board with the shift.
Trump, who has previously spoken about how he couldn’t play football growing up because of the sport’s inherent violence, voiced his concerns about the new kickoff rule, arguing that it detracts from the excitement of the game. He reiterated his stance during an appearance on the “Let’s Go!” podcast, hosted by sportscaster Jim Gray and featuring former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“I will tell you, I watch football now, and I see that kickoff, and it looks weird to me,” Trump said during the podcast, which aired before Election Day. “That thing looks weird, coach. I hope you like it, but I think it hurts the game. I think when you have something good, you don’t change it.
“And, I don’t see why it’s safer. Why is it safer? They’re still crashing. … I looked at that a few weeks ago for the first time and I said, what the hell are they doing to football?”
This isn’t the first time Trump has expressed his displeasure with the new rule. Before the start of the season, Trump had already voiced his disapproval, saying, “I can’t believe the NFL is effectively getting rid of the always exciting Kick Off Return. Such an exciting part of football. What are they doing? BEGINNING OF THE END!”
Trump’s criticism echoes the sentiments of many NFL fans and players who have also voiced concerns about the rule change.
The kickoff return has long been one of the most thrilling aspects of the game, capable of turning the momentum with a single play. By modifying the kickoff, the NFL aimed to make the game safer, but the decision has clearly not been embraced by everyone, including some of the league’s most vocal supporters.
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The modified kickoff format has been described by league officials as a necessary step to reduce injuries, particularly concussions, which have been a major point of emphasis in recent years. However, Trump and many others have argued that the new format reduces the excitement of the game and creates an awkward, less dynamic spectacle.
For Trump, who is known for his love of sports and has never shied away from sharing his opinions, the issue seems to strike a personal chord.
During his recent remarks, he pointed out that, from his perspective, the rule change does little to improve player safety, and instead, it diminishes the appeal of one of football’s most exciting plays.
His comments about the league’s handling of kickoffs suggest that he believes there are better ways to address safety without compromising the thrill of the game.
As Trump prepares to take office again in January, it will be interesting to see if his influence will extend to the world of sports, particularly when it comes to the NFL. With kickoff returns being a point of contention, the question remains whether the league will stick to its current approach or consider alternative methods that could satisfy both player safety concerns and the desire for thrilling gameplay.
For now, the kickoff rule remains in place, but the ongoing debate underscores a broader issue the NFL continues to face—balancing safety with the entertainment value that has made football one of America’s favorite pastimes.
Whether or not Trump’s outspoken criticism will lead to any reconsideration remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the discussion around the league’s rules isn’t going away anytime soon.
