A logical solution to correcting the illogical existence of NFL kickers

JIM SOUHAN @Souhanstrib

Opening kickoffs in the NFL have become part of the pregame ceremony. The players are introduced, the anthem is played and a kicker launches the ball through the end zone. It's a less expensive version of the flyover, with a $100 ball replacing a billion-dollar jet.

The moment is quaint, hearkening to a time when the receiving team — stay with me here, this actually happened — would catch the kickoff and run forward with it. These were called kickoff returns, and they were so exciting and violent that the NFL should be commended for deemphasizing them in favor of player health.

As the league searches for ways to maintain its enduring popularity, here's a new suggestion…