The leader of the free world is not a fan of a recent rule change in the NFL and has politicised its introduction.
Donald Trump, who is a terrific golfer, sometimes turns his attentions to other sports and is particularly enthusiastic when there's a chance to blame some aspect of them on woke.
The NFL implemented the dynamic kickoff rule from the start of the 2024 season and it remains in place as the 2025 season cranks into gear.
Approved by the NFL teams, the dynamic kickoff was created to "resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed" and promote more kick-off returns because they can be exciting and fun. They could also be dangerous.
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In essence, the rule constrains the two teams between the 30- and 40-yard lines, static, until one of the two returners inside the receiving team's 20-yard line touches the ball.
Trump claims not to like the new style of kickoff and welcomed the new NFL season by saying on Truth Social that the dynamic kickoff amounts to 'sissy football' and 'bad for America' somehow.
"The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous-looking new Kickoff Rule," said the President of the United States of America.
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"How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly. It’s at least as dangerous as the ‘normal’ kickoff, and looks like [hell]. 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?"
The dynamic kick-off hit the headlines in Week 2 when the Seattle Sounders recovered a kick-off in the Pittsburgh Steelers end zone for a touchdown on Sunday.
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Because the ball dropped in the 20-yard landing zone it was ruled live before making its way into the end zone, where running back George Holani managed to ground the ball after outsmarting the receiving Steelers.
The Seahawks caught out the Steelers for unusual TD
"Any football that lands in the landing zone (between the 20-yard line and end zone) is considered a live ball," according to The Sporting News.
"That means the receiving team can pick it up and return it, or pick it up once it rolls into the end zone and take a touchback. But it also means the kicking team can pick it up to make their own play.
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"And so covering up the kicked off football in the end zone, when it's a live ball, is a touchdown. It operates almost like a live fumble, where a play can be made in either direction."
The ball went past Pittsburgh's Kaleb Johnson, who apparently mistook it for a touchback.
Topics: NFL, American Football, Donald Trump
Chris Nee