President Donald Trump attended the Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium last week. It’s clear he didn’t like watching the kickoffs.
“I hate the kickoff in football. I think it’s so terrible, I think it’s so demeaning. I think it hurts the game and hurts the pageantry,” Trump said. “I’ve told that to Roger Goodell. And I don’t think it’s any safer. I mean you still have guys crashing into each other.
“The ball is in the air and nobody is moving. It’s supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played you’re supposed to be moving. The pageantry of the game is so badly hurt. The NFL, they do what they want to do. I don’t think they’ll change. I hope college football doesn’t change, because the power of the kickoff was so beautiful.”
The NFL’s new kickoff rule, referred to as the dynamic kickoff, was first implemented in 2024. It was designed to reduce injuries during the play and promote more returns. The NFL slightly amended the rule in 2025 by moving the ball out to the 35-yard-line after a touchback, up from the 25-yard-line last year.
Trump’s often criticized the NFL. He bashed the NFL’s decision to have Bad Bunny as the headline performer at Super Bowl 60. He’s also criticized the Commanders franchise for changing their name.
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