President Trump Won't Approve Of NFL's New Proposal For Kickoff Rule
03/25/2025 06:18 PM
President Donald Trump won't have a say in whether or not the NFL's competition committee makes changes for the 2025 season. That being said, he can't be too thrilled with this Tuesday's news.
The NFL introduced its "Dynamic Kickoff rule" for the 2024 season. It was essentially a free kick designed to promote more returns. Although this was a creative idea on paper, it never really worked out in the league's favor. Several people, including Trump, criticized the NFL for getting rid of its old rules.
"I don't know what they're doing with the kickoff return in the NFL. And I don't want to get involved in controversy, of course, but it looks so bad," Trump said in November. And I noticed that they hadn't' done that in college, and they shouldn't do it. And I think the NFL should go back. And maybe it is a little bit more dangerous, but I doubt that it's any more dangerous. It's football. I think they made a terrible mistake in doing that."
Leading up to Super Bowl 59 between the Chiefs and Eagles, the president insulted the league's kickoff rules once again.
"Two great Quarterbacks in this game. Also, an unbelievable running back, and the absolute best tight end in football (Ever!). Incredible coaching," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "If they would only get rid of that really weird looking new Kickoff 'deal,' which actually makes football more dangerous, they would be doing everybody, especially the fans, a big favor."
The NFL is hoping to raise its kickoff return rates for the 2025 season, but its proposal probably won't sit well with Trump.
According to reports, the NFL's competition committee wants to spot touchbacks at the 35-yard line. This would incentivize kickers to make sure they hit the landing zone on just about every kickoff.
In 2024, the NFL had a return rate of 32.8 percent. That's an 11 percent increase from the 2023 season.
It's possible this proposal could make kickoffs exciting again, but the president of the United States won't be too thrilled about the NFL moving even further away from its old rules.
Related: President Trump Wants 'Awful' Portrait Of Himself Removed
