CNN
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The controversial “Tush Push” play will not be banned in the upcoming NFL season.
The owners meeting in April saw a vote on whether Tush Push would be allowed in the future, but its fate was once again discussed when they reunited at Wednesday’s Spring League meeting in Minnesota. To pass the motion, a 75% majority among NFL owners who support changes to the rules, and 24 out of 32 votes are required.
As the offensive line progresses, the short yard play involving multiple offensive players pushing the quarterback for a few yards has been a key element of the Eagles’ recent success, and helped the team in their quest to lift the Lombardi Trophy this season.
Athletic Dianna Russini reported that 10 teams voted against the ban.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been popularizing the play with success when using it, and celebrated the news of Tush Push Play with an X photo with the word “push on.” In particular, the photo the Eagles used in their post was a Philadelphia game against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers had submitted a proposal to ban it for safety and competitive reasons.
Jason Kelse, retired from Eagles Center, joined the cause of his former team, persuading enough support to avoid the ban, traveled to Minnesota to speak at conferences.
After the vote, Kelse refused to speak to the media, according to reporters on the scene.
“(Kelce) was very clear and he explained it,” said Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL competition committee. “We heard it from the Eagles, and then we heard it from a lot of the teams in the room. We watched the video, filmed all the votes we needed, and realized that it wasn’t a rule that we weren’t ready to pass.
“For our committee, I don’t think it’s a shame for me, because it takes 24 votes to pass something on. We don’t set a low bar.”
Correction The suggestion recommended pushing or pulling the runner “at any time” or lifting it onto the foot. This means that pushing tash and other plays that involve players holding the ball being pushed, pulled or lifted.
On the eve of the vote, the Packers revised their proposal to focus on “supporting runners” banning offensive players.
Tash’s push rose significantly a few years ago when the Eagles began to unfold it in short yard situations.
It’s a running play where the ball is snapped to the quarterback, and the quarterback advances to the offensive line. While the linemen move forward, the quarterback is pushed out from behind by tight ends and running backs that resemble rugby scrums.
The combined effort usually results in a short enough yard gain for either the first down or touchdown, and the Eagles version of the play is usually unstoppable.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is the guy who holds the ball in his hand and is pushed from behind, has benefited greatly from the play, having 52 rushing touchdowns over the past four seasons.
The team reached the Super Bowl two years ago and became a key driver for the team that reached the success of last season’s title.
Like many other aspects of the NFL as a whole, other teams have tried to adopt a tash push with various successes, but the Eagles remain their masters.
Despite Tush Push’s success, some argue that it becomes a controversial play, stripping it of its competitiveness and not making football exciting.
With similarities to the old-fashioned quarterback sneak, the play also leads to safety concerns, with players opposing each other with all their forces in such close proximity.
Green Bay, which was a hassle for the Eagles in the wildcard round of the playoffs when Philadelphia won the Super Bowl LIX, was the team that CEO and team president Mark Murphy said the tash push was “bad for the game.”
“I don’t have any skill. I’m automatically down first on plays below yards,” Murphy added. “We should go back to ban runner pushes. This will bring back traditional QB sneaks. It worked very well for the Burtstar and the Packers in Ice Bowl (1967).”
The proposed rules submitted by the Packers said, “We proposed that the rules change the rules prohibit teammates who receive snaps lined up just behind the snaps and are not pushed against them at snaps.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, one of the three coaches on the league’s competition committee, said the Packers’ proposal “deprives them of their strength” and prioritizes the welfare of players.
“Traditional quarterback sneaking has been around for a long time,” he previously told reporters. “I think that’s important. And I know that pushing it adds a part of force. I think this also exponentially raises my concern.”
Prior to this decision, Eagles starring Jordan Meertata and Aji Brown discussed the play.
Brown said it was a “one yard play,” but Mailata said he wanted it to be banned by name alone.
“I don’t like that name in terms of banning pushing tash, so I hope they ban it. That’s a stupid name,” Mailata joked. “But I can’t control it. We can’t control it.
“We’re not even worried about that. Now we’re just installing the scheme. Whatever KP (attack coordinator Kevin Paturo) is installing that day, that’s what we’re focusing on.
Jill Martin of CNN contributed the report.