Trump Slams NFL’s New Kickoff Rule: “Sissy Football Is Bad for America”
Written by b87fm on 09/17/2025
President Donald Trump is not holding back when it comes to the NFL’s latest rule changes. In a fiery Truth Social post on Monday (Sept. 15), Trump blasted the league’s newly revised kickoff rule, calling it “sissy football” and demanding it be scrapped.
“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!”
Trump argued the rule kills the game’s traditional energy, makes the sport look “like hell,” and was rushed into play without enough thought. He even compared the change to tweaks in other sports, saying it strips football of its identity.
Week 1 kick returns are more than double what they were last season with over 75% of kickoffs resulting in returns!
Learn more about the changes made to the dynamic kickoff ahead of this season: https://t.co/QRe3ixx6YD pic.twitter.com/QUDXoA9lHe
— Troy Vincent, Sr. (@TroyVincentSr) September 9, 2025
The controversial rule, approved before the 2024 season, forces players on the kicking team to line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line and stay frozen until the ball is caught or hits the ground. The receiving team’s formation encourages more returns, and touchbacks now start at the 35-yard line instead of the 30.
UNREAL.
The Patriots follow up the Dolphins’ 74-yard punt return with a kick return of their own to retake the lead! 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Lp5KN45u06
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 14, 2025
League officials say the new setup is about safety. Kickoffs have long been one of the most dangerous plays in football, with concussion rates higher than almost any other moment on the field. Early data from the 2025 season shows a 43% drop in concussions while kickoff returns skyrocketed to nearly 77% — the highest since 2009.
The Seahawks just recovered a kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown!
SEAvsPIT on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/0J1gEbqx4r
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
But Trump — echoing a chunk of old-school fans — isn’t buying it. He says the NFL is sanitizing the sport and watering down its toughness. To him, the new rule doesn’t save football, it strips away the very intensity that made it America’s game.
On the other side, supporters insist safety has to come first, and the league is finally finding a balance between highlight-reel plays and protecting players. Still, the clash of opinions proves one thing: even in 2025, no one argues football rules without passion — especially not Donald Trump.
