Overview
- Posting on Truth Social on Sunday evening, President Donald Trump called the NFL’s new kickoff format “ridiculous” and said it strips the game of pageantry and does nothing for safety.
- His latest message came as he followed the Bills–Chiefs game and prepared to watch his interview on 60 Minutes.
- The NFL’s “dynamic kickoff,” introduced in 2024 and adopted permanently this season, aims to curb high‑speed collisions while increasing return opportunities.
- Under the format, the kicker boots from the 35 while the other 10 cover men line up at the opponent’s 40 and cannot move until the returner touches the ball, with touchbacks placed at the 35 to encourage returns.
- League data through Week 8 shows roughly 1,150 kickoffs with a 77.5% return rate, touchbacks at about 17%, and average return distance rising to 25.2 yards, fueling continued debate over safety versus tradition.