Donald Trump claims it’s the ‘beginning of the end’ for the NFL as he slams huge new change for this season
Donald Trump has criticized the NFL’s new kickoff rule, saying it signals the “beginning of the end” for the league.
The NFL has implemented a new “dynamic” kickoff for the 2024 season in an effort to reduce the number of high-speed collisions amid an “unacceptable number of injuries.”
The change was also intended to encourage teams to run the ball back — rather than call it a fair catch. But Trump voiced his opposition on social media on Friday, when the Eagles took on the Packers in Brazil.
The former president wrote on his platform Truth Social: “I can’t believe the NFL is effectively doing away with the always exciting Kick Off Return.
‘Such an exciting part of football. What are they doing? BEGINNING OF THE END!’
Donald Trump said the NFL’s new kickoff rule marks the ‘beginning of the end’ for the league
The NFL has introduced a new ‘dynamic’ kickoff to increase return rates and reduce injuries
This change means that the players on the team kicking the ball now line up on the opposing team’s 40-yard line, instead of behind the kicker.
They may not move until the ball touches the ground or a player is in the landing zone or end zone.
The designated landing zone is between the receiving team’s goal line and the 20-yard line. Any kick that lands within this area must be returned.
On Friday night, the Philadelphia Eagles opened their Jason Kelce-less career with a three-touchdown victory from Saquon Barkley in a remarkable debut for his hometown team.
For the first time in 13 seasons, the Eagles were without Kelce under center. Despite some teething problems on the offensive line, they defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-29 in Brazil.
In a huge scare for the Packers, however, franchise quarterback Jordan Love limped off with a lower leg injury with six seconds left in the game. Replays appeared to show his knee snapping under the weight of the tackle.