Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the NFL’s tightening of kickoffs.
talking to Clay Travis from Outkick.com At Saturday’s Georgia-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa, the GOP presidential candidate lamented the NFL’s efforts to make kickoffs safer for players.
‘…I don’t know what they’re doing with the kickoff return in the NFL, and I don’t want to get involved in controversy, but it looks so bad, and I noticed they haven’t done it in college, “And they shouldn’t do it, and I think the NFL should come back,” Trump told Travis, an outspoken supporter of the 45th president.
The NFL has been changing kickoff rules in recent years due to safety concerns, but has noticed fewer kicks being returned as a result. For example, last season, only 21.8 percent of kickoffs were returned. In 2010, that figure was 80 percent.
So, to revive the kickoff, the NFL changed the rules once again.
For a standard kickoff, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up on the opposing 40-yard line: five on each side of the field. In theory, this structure will reduce the number of high-impact collisions on kickoffs.
Donald Trump, Herschel Walker (center) and Clay Travis pictured during Georgia-Alabama
The NFL’s new kickoff rules no longer allow the kicking team to start running before contact.
Meanwhile, the returning team has at least nine blockers lined up in the ‘setup zone’ between the 30 and 35 yards and at least seven of those players touch the 35.
Up to two returners are allowed within 20.
Only the kicker and two returners may move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner within 20.
And any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or the end. zone will also result in a touchback at the 30.
Speaking about the rule change in the offseason, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell boasted that it “will make the play relevant again…and I think we can do it where the injury rate goes down.”
But through the first four weeks of the season, Trump has been unimpressed.
Referencing the more traditional kickoff setup still used by the NCAA, Trump admitted that “maybe it’s a little more dangerous” before quickly contradicting himself.
“I doubt it’s any more dangerous,” he told Travis. ‘It’s, you know, it’s football. I think (the NFL) made a terrible mistake by doing that. But if you look at this, (college football hasn’t done it), it was the first thing I looked at and said, “have they done it?” It seems very strange and you can’t take something that’s working and change it.
“But this is really important football,” he said, referring to Alabama’s loss to rival Georgia. “And it’s great to see.”
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording artist Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama Senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between Alabama Crimson Tide. and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium
Trump is not entirely pessimistic about the 2024 NFL season. In fact, he’s particularly encouraged by the arrival of first-year announcer Tom Brady.
When asked by Travis for a review of Brady’s early work, Trump said “he’s done very well.”
“And I think he’s going to do well and he’s a winner and a champion,” Trump said of Brady, with whom he previously played golf. “There will always be people who will be jealous of him. So no matter how well he does, they will say the most negative thing they can. I think he is doing fantastically well.”
Travis ended the interview by fawning over Trump.
“You’re going to do fantastic in a little over 35 days,” he told Trump about his chances in the general election. “We know you’re going to win.”