Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photos
CANTON, Ohio — The Bears booted the first-ever modified NFL kickoff Thursday night to start the Hall of Fame game.
The result looked a lot like the NFL’s other kickoffs — a kick returned by the Texans’ Steven Sims at the 26.
The NFL adopted the XFL’s kickoff rule this offseason with the twin goals of dissuading teams from kicking touchbacks and increasing player safety on both sides of the ball. The Texans, who returned the kickoff, lined nine blockers up at the 35-yard line. Ten Bears defenders lined up across from them at the 40.