Donald Trump Criticizes NFL’s New Kickoff Rule, Calls It ‘Sissy Football'.

President Donald Trump has voiced his disapproval of the NFL’s revamped kickoff rule, which debuted in 2024, calling the game “sissy football” in a Truth Social post. Despite the rule’s success in boosting excitement and reducing injuries, Trump questioned the safety and integrity of the change.

“The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule,” 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!!”

What the Rule Changes

The NFL’s “dynamic kickoff,” approved by 29 of 32 team owners, features:

• New alignment guidelines for both kicking and returning teams.

• A designated “landing zone” for kickers between the end zone and the opponent’s 20-yard line.

• Touchbacks now spotted at the 30-yard line (later adjusted to the 35-yard line to further discourage long kickoffs).

• Non-kicker and non-returner players now line up 5–10 yards apart between the return team’s 30- and 40-yard lines.

• Balls not landing in the designated zone result in a penalty, giving the return team the ball at its 40-yard line.

The changes aimed to increase returned kickoffs while reducing injuries. In 2023, only 21.8% of kickoffs were returned. In 2024, that rate jumped to 32.8%, and Week 1 of this season saw a historic 75.6% return rate—the highest in any week since 2010.

While the NFL considers the rule a success, Trump remains a vocal critic, arguing it moves the sport away from its traditional style and excitement.