The NFL’s controversial new kickoff rule has been slammed by fans who have been critical of junking tradition, with one of the most vocal critics being President Donald J. Trump, who has branded it as “sissy football” and “bad for America.”
Trump’s recent criticism was blasted by one team’s position coach, who vehemently disagreed, declaring that the former pro football team owner doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
At a Thursday press conference, Dave Toub, who coaches special teams for the Kansas City Chiefs, was asked about Trump’s recent comments about the “dynamic kickoff” rule on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week.
#Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub on Donald Trump not liking the NFL’s new kickoff rule:
“He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at. He has no idea what’s going on. Take that for what it’s worth. And I hope he hears it.”
( @SportsRadio810)pic.twitter.com/kftY1tbWWF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 20, 2025
“He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at,” Toub said of the president. “He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule, so I’m going to take that for what it’s worth. And I hope he hears it.”
“I do have to say and I’ll probably get myself in a little trouble for this. I hate the kickoff in football,” Trump told McAfee.
“I think it’s so terrible, I think it’s so demeaning, and I think it hurts the game. It hurts the pageantry,” he said, adding that he has shared his opinion about the “unromantic” and “demeaning to football” kickoff with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“I do have to say that I hate the new kickoff..
I think it’s so terrible” ~ @POTUS #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/YoGvEwzm45
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 11, 2025
“I don’t think they have a right to do that to the game,” Trump told the host. “The game is so important. I hope college doesn’t change, and I hope someday the NFL will stop it and go back to football.”
Trump was less charitable about the unpopular new rule in a post to Truth Social the week after this year’s NFL season kicked off.
“The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule. 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!” Trump wrote in September.
(Screenshot: Truth Social)
Long before he entered politics, back when he was merely a successful businessman, Trump owned the New Jersey Generals franchise in the original United States Football League (USFL), a 1980s springtime league that, despite its promise, lasted just three seasons, but four decades later, still occupies a special place in the hearts of many diehard fans.
As for Toub’s team, the three-time Super Bowl champions are no longer the NFL bully that they once were and currently sit three games back of the Denver Broncos in the AFC West, a division that they have dominated for the last decade.
The Chiefs’ run of Super Bowl appearances is in serious peril after their hated division rival pulled out a 22-19 win last week, and they are facing two must-win games in a span of four days against the upstart Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday.
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