The NFL has made an influential enemy with its rule change on kickoffs. In a post on social media, Donald Trump criticizes the league in no uncertain terms.

US President Donald Trump has spoken out clearly against the rule change for kickoffs on social media and harshly criticized the NFL.

In a post on his own platform, “Truth Social,” he said, “The NFL must get rid of this ridiculous-looking kickoff rule.” He continued: “The ball moves, but the players don’t, which is exactly the opposite of what football is all about.”

He is referring to the recent rule change for kickoffs that took effect last season and continues into the new season. Last year, the rule meant that the ball was hardly carried forward after a kick.

The NFL has now counteracted this. The position of the ball-receiving team has improved from their own 30-yard line to 35 yards. This is a better starting position for the receiving team to carry the ball.

Donald Trump: “Wimpy football is bad for America.”

This change was originally introduced last season to minimize the risk of injury to players sprinting towards each other. Not only can this be dangerous on game day, but it is also intended to prevent long-term damage.

For Trump, this is “sissy football” and “bad for America and the NFL!”

 

President Donald Trump calls the NFL’s kickoff rule “sissy” football and bad for America. pic.twitter.com/KFNT50mNk9

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2025

The president wants kickoffs to return to the way they used to be. In college football, “fortunately, everything is the same as it always was, hopefully forever,” Trump concludes his post.

It remains to be seen whether NFL officials will simply ignore the words of such an important man, or whether they will comment on them and, if necessary, even make adjustments.

For now, Donald Trump’s statement is just the opinion of one – very powerful – outsider.