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Donald Trump once again blasted the NFL's kickoff rules while 'getting ready' to watch himself on 60 minutes on Sunday night.
Trump has been a ferocious critic of the league's dynamic kickoff rules ever since they were introduced before the start of last season.
He has voiced his opposition to the tweaks, which were brought in to increase player safety, multiple times on social media and did so again on Sunday.
The president, who seemed to be tuned into the game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, admitted he was waiting to watch his 60 Minutes interview but could not help deliver another attack on the 'ridiculous' kickoff rules.
He wrote on Truth Social: 'I HATE WATCHING THE NFL’S NEW KICK OFF RULE.
'IT’S RIDICULOUS — TAKES THE PAGEANTRY AND GLAMOUR AWAY FROM THE GAME, AND DOES NOTHING FOR SAFETY. THEY SHOULD CHANGE BACK TO WHAT IT USED TO BE.
Donald Trump destroyed the NFL's kickoff rules just moments before his 60 Minutes interview
Trump has been a fierce critic of the league's dynamic kickoff rules since they were introduced
'HOPEFULLY COLLEGE FOOTBALL WILL NEVER MAKE THIS RIDICULOUS CHANGE!
'IN THE MEANTIME, I’M GETTING READY TO WATCH PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP (ME!) ON 60 MINUTES.'
Trump's complaint centers on what the NFL refers to as its 'dynamic kickoff' – a new format implemented into the rule book last year to promote more returns while reducing the risk of serious injury.
Previous tweaks to the NFL's kickoff format in 2011, 2016 and 2018 did reduce dangerous high-speed collisions, but resulted in more touchbacks and fewer kick returns, much to dismay of fans.
There were even calls to scrap kickoffs entirely until the NFL experimented with some changes in 2024 that were made permanent this season with a significant new wrinkle.
Kickers still line up from their own 35-yard line. But, to reduce high-speed collisions, the other 10 players on the kicking team line up from their opponent's 40-yard line and are prevented from moving until the returning team touches the ball.
As a result, the kicking team no longer gets a running start to pummel blockers on the returning team.
The NFL further tweaked its kickoff rules this year by moving touchbacks up to the 35-yard line. Consequently, kicking teams now have motive to boot the ball just shy of the end zone to deny their opponents advantageous field position.
More to follow.
