NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in a recent interview with TIME magazine, has provided an alternative to the football kick-off.
Instead of kicking off, after a team scores they would get the ball at their own 30 yard line on 4th and 15. The team’s two options would be to go for it (which would be similar to an on-side kick), or punt (which would replace a kick-off).
I know the kick-off is widely considered one of the most dangerous plays in football, and I do think it is important to make the game as safe as possible, but at what point do we say enough is enough? This change would completely change the complexity of the game. Football is a violent sport, and it’s violence has always been apart of its appeal. I do believe it is important to enforce and implement rules to prevent serious injury, but changing the game that we’ve all grown to love it going too far.