Following his former special teams coach’s sharp response to Donald Trump’s comments on the NFL’s new kickoff rule, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill voiced strong support on social media.
Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) practices before the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) practices before the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Hill’spost on X, using a strong four-letter word, went viral on Friday, intensifying controversy over the controversial kickoff rule.
Fucking animal I love it https://t.co/w3DrTPJgCY
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) November 21, 2025
The exchange shows a clear divide between critics of the NFL’s player-safety measures and those, including players, who back the new format.
The drama began earlier this week when Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub was asked about Trump’s repeated attacks on the rule. The former president called the dynamic kickoff “terrible,” “demeaning,” and “sissy football,” claiming it diminishes the game’s spectacle.
In a widely shared video clip, Toub fired back, saying Trump “doesn’t even know what he’s looking at” and “has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule,” adding, “I hope he hears it.”
Toub’s blunt comments resonated immediately with former players and fans who appreciate his candor. They also struck a strong emotional response with Hill, who spent six seasons under Toub in Kansas City.
As a former return specialist, Hill has firsthand experience with the high-impact collisions the new rule aims to reduce. His brief and precise tweet, “F***ing animal, I love it,” served as an explicit support of Toub’s comment, positively showing the coach’s honesty.
Tyreek Hill shows loyalty to Dave Toub in controversial NFL rule debate
Though Tyreek Hill has moved on from the Chiefs, his loyalty to Toub remains evident. The special teams coordinator was a key figure during Hill’s time in Kansas City, including their Super Bowl LIV win.
Hill’s reaction, while brief, shows deep respect for Toub’s expertise and willingness to challenge a high-profile critic. It also offers insight into locker room culture, where a coach’s forceful defense of his craft is often celebrated.
The NFL is working to make the game safer for players while keeping its traditional style. Kickoff rule changes highlight the tension between reducing injuries and maintaining the sport’s look and feel..
Critics, including Trump, argue that the rule changes alter the look of football, but league data show that kickoff injuries have decreased since the rollout of these changes.
The exchange between Toub, Trump, and Hill adds a personal angle, showing a coach’s technical defense of the new kickoff rule against political criticism.
Hill’s support highlights the perspective of a player who has faced the risks the rule aims to reduce, bringing firsthand experience to the debate.