Tyreek Hill didn’t hold back when he backed Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub amid his fiery response to Donald Trump’s criticism of the NFL’s new kickoff rule.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Hill simply wrote: “F—ing animal, I love it.”
His three-word reply — or technically five words, depending on how you count — quickly caught fire on social media, showing where his loyalties lie.
Toub recently pushed back hard on Trump’s remarks about the “dynamic kickoff” rule, telling reporters, “He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at. He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule … And I hope he hears it.”
Hill’s response wasn’t just support — it was admiration for Toub’s boldness.
Hill and Toub have a long history together. Hill played under Toub in Kansas City for six seasons before leaving the team. Their past connection makes Hill’s praise feel personal, not just a statement on the broader league debate.
The NFL’s new kickoff format has sparked controversy. Designed to reduce high-speed collisions, the rule requires most of the kicking team to line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line and prohibits them from moving until the ball is touched or lands. While some critics argue the change strips away tradition, supporters point to its safety benefits.
Trump has been a vocal critic, calling the rule “terrible” and “demeaning,” claiming it hurts the game’s pageantry. For Toub and others, though, the rule is a logical evolution. As Toub defended, the game is more than just spectacle — it’s about protecting players and maintaining competitive integrity.
Hill’s reaction amplified the moment: his public show of support for Toub underscored how strongly he agreed with the coach’s blunt stance. In doing so, he reasserted his respect for a mentor and reminded the NFL — and the world — that some voices in the sport won’t be silenced, even when the debate hits the political arena.
