President Donald Trump is not a fan of the NFL’s new kickoff format, blasting it on social media.
On Monday, the president hopped on Truth Social to criticize the new rule, calling it “sissy football” that is “bad for America.”
Look:
“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,” Trump wrote. “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! Who comes up with these ridiculous ideas? It’s like wanting to ‘roll back’ the golf ball so it doesn’t go (nearly!) as far. Fortunately, college football will remain the same, hopefully forever!!”
The changes are aimed at making the kickoff “safer” by keeping both teams stationary until the ball either “hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20-yard line,” according to CNN. Effectively, the move encourages more returns while also keeping players from colliding at higher speeds like they did under the previous rules.
NFL Football Operations listed the new rules:
- Modify the alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone.
- Change the dead-ball spot after a touchback to the 35-yard line if the ball lands in the end zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team or goes out of bounds behind the receiving team’s goal line.
- Allow teams to declare an onside kick at any point in the game if they are trailing, instead of just during the fourth quarter.
The Dynamic Kickoff is designed to:
- Resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed.
- Promote more returns.
X users weighed in:
I can’t be the only one who hates the new NFL kickoff rules right?
It makes the field so much shorter…
It’s terrible
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) September 8, 2025
One of the most hilarious features of the NFL’s new kickoff rule is that a 12th player comes on the field to hold the ball when it’s windy and has to run off the field before the return starts pic.twitter.com/4OZ8CDtFjo
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) November 18, 2024
President Trump is totally correct! Many are saying, this new NFL kickoff rule is a complete joke. Looks awful, dangerous, and ruins the game we love. Fans want REAL football, not watered-down ‘sissy’ football! pic.twitter.com/CQVL7sn2HN
— Malcolm Davis (@MalcolmDavisGA) September 15, 2025
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