Sporting News

Eliminate kickoffs? Players say no in SN midseason poll



Eliminating kickoffs is not something NFL players would be in favor of, according to Sporting News' midseason poll. (AP Photo)

Last spring, Giants CEO John Mara, a member of the NFL's competition committee, said the league was "evolving toward" elimination of the kickoff. But NFL players do not support that potential move. In Sporting News midseason poll, they came out strongly in favor of keeping the kickoff.

Should the kickoff be removed from the game altogether?

Yes: 14

No: 80

"Are you kidding me? No!" —Redskins LB Lorenzo Alexander

"No way should they get rid of kickoffs. Look at what Percy Harvin brings to us with the way he returns kickoffs. There aren't as many returns, but it's an exciting and explosive part of the game, as Percy reminds us often." —Vikings WR Michael Jenkins

"No. It's tradition ... the ball getting kicked, the flashes in the stands. I mean, how do you do away with that? What are they going to do instead? I think they have to keep it." —Bears G Chilo Rachal

"No. I think it's a big part of the game. It needs to be. It's an opportunity for a team to create a big play or to create a turnover. It's just part of football. Football is a dangerous sport, and I understand there's collisions and they worry about it, but the kickoff is part of the game." —Bears S Chris Conte

"No. Kickoffs are part of football. It's like saying we should do away with offense." —Bears TE Kyle Adams

"I just think it should go back to the way the old rules were. I don't think it should be eliminated." —Lions G Rob Sims

"If they are going to keep the kickoff where it is ... yes." —Steelers WR Jerricho Cotchery




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