TORONTO -- The CFL has listened to its fans.
On Monday, the league's board of governors approved moving the kickoff back 10 yards to the 25-yard line following a safety, one of four rule changes suggested by fans.
"It's exciting to know that some of our fans will see their ideas in action when our season kicks off on Canada Day, July 1," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "Our board of governors values our fans from coast to coast, and was very supportive of including them in our process.
"That support was evident in their vote."
Other rule changes adopted as a result of suggestions from fans included:
-- Allowing coaches to use "wildcat" formations that would move the quarterback around, instead of requiring him to stand behind or under centre.
-- Requiring a team that makes a field goal to kick off rather than give the receiving the team the option of taking the ball at its 35-yard-line
-- Giving a team a third instant replay challenge if its first two are successful.
All four ideas were approved in March by the league's rules committee following an invitation from Cohon for fans to provide their input. The CFL said more than 2,000 submissions were received.
