Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach, Dave Toub, is completely unconcerned by President Donald Trump’s opinion regarding the kickoff rule changes that the NFL implemented, aiming to increase safety and spectacle in the game. Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NFL regular season game since 1978, when Jimmy Carter attended the Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions game earlier this month. Two days later, Trump strongly criticized the league’s “touch kick” (dynamic start) rule on “The Pat McAfee Show,” which owners voted to permanently implement this year. Under this rule, the ball is placed on the 35-yard line, but all players on the kicking team must wait on the 40-yard line until the ball touches the ground or is touched by a receiving team player inside their own 20-yard line. Related Article INGLEWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Teams line up in the new kickoff formation during the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams on November 24, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jevon Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Donald Trump is absolutely, strongly negative about the new NFL starting play format There are also clarifications: if the ball does not reach the end zone, lands in the end zone without being touched by the receiver, or lands in the end zone itself. “I think it’s disgusting. I think it’s extremely humiliating and detrimental to the game itself. It ruins the excitement,” Trump stated. “I discussed this with (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell, and I don’t think it has made the game safer. In the end, you still have moments where players collide with each other.” Related Article Kickoff between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) NFL kickoff rules clarified: how, despite Donald Trump’s statements, the sport has become safer The league maintains a safer kickoff system (touch kick), while there is an increase in kickoff returns. And Toub, who has dedicated over twenty years to coaching special teams in Chicago and Kansas City, did not hold back his emotions on Thursday when asked for his opinion on the President’s sharp criticism of the kickoff rules. “He has no idea what he’s seeing. He is absolutely uninformed about what is happening with the kickoff rule,” stated the usually reserved Toub, raising his voice.
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