Donald Trump and Roger Goodell (Photos by Getty Images)
Count Republican nominee and former United States president Donald Trump among the rapidly growing list of those who oppose the NFL’s new kickoff rules.
Donald Trump has been able to make time to follow the NFL during his hectic schedule as he continues to hold rallies across the nation leading up to the Nov. 5 United States presidential election.
Before the Philadelphia Eagles-Green Bay Packers game in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday night, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to voice his displeasure with the new NFL kickoff rules.
Donald Trump went as far as saying that the new kickoff rules mark the “beginning of the end” for the NFL:
The NFL changed its kickoff rules to enhance player safety while also encouraging more kick returns. One significant change was moving the kicking team’s players to the opposing team’s 40-yard line, with only the kicker starting at his team’s 35-yard line.
The league also implemented a “landing zone” between the team’s goal line and their 20-yard line. If the ball lands short of the 20, the returning team will get the ball at their 40-yard line. The returning team gets the ball at their 30 if the kickoff goes through the end zone.
Donald Trump certainly isn’t the only person who has come to dislike this rule, just two games into the 2024 NFL season. It should be noted that the new kickoff rules are only set in stone for this year and subject for renewal in 2025.
Donald Trump Has A Unique Relationship With The NFL
Trump has a long and complicated history with the NFL, to say the least. It started in 2014 when he attempted to purchase the Buffalo Bills in 2014, but Terry and Kim Pegula won the bid.
Trump has received political donations from a large number of NFL owners, including Robert Kraft (New England Patriots), Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Shad Khan (Jacksonville Jaguars), Stan Kroenke (Los Angeles Rams), Jimmy Haslam (Cleveland Browns) and Stephen Ross (Miami Dolphins).
The 78-year-old has also been heavily critical of the league and commissioner Roger Goodell, calling for the NFL to “fire” players that protest during the national anthem. Trump also canceled the Philadelphia Eagles’ invitation to the White House after winning Super Bowl 52 when several players made it clear that they wouldn’t attend the ceremony.
Latest Photo Of Jason Kelce’s Shocking Body Transformation Confirms He Won’t Be Coming Out Of Retirement Anytime Soon
Jason Kelce (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce all but confirmed that he’ll never come out of retirement after revealing a remarkable offseason body transformation.
Though he was still at the top of his game last year, Jason Kelce decided to hang up the cleats on his illustrious career that will lead to a spot in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Because Kelce was playing at a high level in his age-36 season, many fans can’t help but wonder if he’d come out of retirement and return to the Eagles — especially if they’re in Super Bowl contention.
But during an interview with the Associated Press, Jason Kelce made it clear that a comeback is not happening. Kelce cited that the Eagles won’t be calling him back after his drastic offseason weight loss:
“They’re not going to call me to come back and play center at 260 pounds, and I’m moving on to the next thing and I’m excited to watch Cam (Jurgens). I really think Cam is going to be tremendous this year. He’s going to really show people how great of a player he is.
He was good for us last year at right guard and he’s going to flourish at center. And for me personally, my days of playing are just done and I do not foresee any scenario taking place other than maybe medicine inventing a way to get rid of arthritis that I would ever entertain coming back at all anymore.”
