It’s not unusual for professional sports to change rules to try to make things more interesting for casual fans. Year in and year out, some fans bemoan the persistent tinkering, and others celebrate it. It’s what has led to things such as the designated hitter in baseball and the 3-point shot in basketball. The NFL’s latest rules change, though, is more drastic than tinkering. The league has completely reshaped the kickoff, something that has been part of the sport since its founding — and made the word “kickoff” an everyday phrase in the English language.

The kickoff has long been considered one of the most dangerous plays in the sport. It has prompted constant regulation over the years to reduce the violence inherent in 11 large grown men running 50 yards at full speed into 11 other large grown men. The extended running start meant that the kickoff was far more dangerous than any other type of play in a sport where catastrophic injuries are commonplace.