Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub shreds President Trump's NFL kickoff rule hate: 'He has no idea what's going on'

President Donald Trump has made it clear, on multiple occasions, that he does not like the NFL‘s kickoff rule. Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub was asked Thursday for a reaction to the president’s recent comments — he did not hold back about the way he feels.

“He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at. He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule,” Toub said, via Sports Radio 810 WHB. “Take that for what it’s worth. And I hope he hears it.”

#Chiefs ST Coorinator Dave Toub responds to Trump criticizing the new kickoff rules.

He says, "He doesn't even know what he's looking at." pic.twitter.com/tPDPEgRA4G

— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) November 20, 2025

Trump in September blasted the league’s kickoff rules in a Truth Social post. His comments came after a return-gone-wrong cost the Pittsburgh Steelers a controversial touchdown back in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.

“The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule,” Trump wrote. “How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly. It’s at least as dangerous as the ‘normal’ kickoff and looks like hell.

“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! Who comes up with these ridiculous ideas? It’s like wanting to ‘roll back’ the golf ball so it doesn’t go [nearly!] as far. Fortunately, college football will remain the same, hopefully forever!!”

Donald Trump doubles down on ‘hate’ for NFL kickoff rules

Trump doubled down during a Veterans Day appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He detailed his “hate” for the changes made to the NFL kickoff and revealed he spoke to the league commissioner, Roger Goodell, about it.

“I think it’s so terrible, I think it’s so demeaning, and I think it hurts the game, it hurts the pageantry,” Trump said. “I told that to Roger Goodell, and I don’t think it’s any safer. I mean you still have guys crashing into each other. … The ball is in the air, and nobody’s moving. It’s supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played, you’re supposed to be moving.

“The pageantry of the game is so badly hurt. They do what they want to do, but I don’t think they’ll change. I hope college football doesn’t change because the power of the kickoff was so beautiful. I don’t want to say what it reminds me of because I will get myself into big trouble, but it is not football.”

Trump added, “It’s so bad. It’s so unromantic, and it is just demeaning to football. I don’t think they have a right to do that to the game.”

The NFL implemented the dynamic kickoff in 2024 to provide a higher percentage of returns. The return rate in 2024 improved to 33% after being 21.8% 2023, per CBS Sports.

Trump is frustrated with the new rule because players aren’t moving when the ball is in the air. By rule, players can’t move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone. Before the start of the 2025 season, NFL team owners voted to make the kickoff format permanent. 

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.