Proposal To Ban Controversial ‘Tush Push’ Put On Hold After A Split Vote

The “Tush Push,” which has been one of the most highly debated plays in football, will find its fate a different day.

At the annual NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, the Green Bay Packers officially proposed the ban. The vote was split directly down the middle, with 16 teams in favor of the ban and 16 teams opposing it.

For an outright ban, at least 2/3 of the vote or 24 teams are required to vote in favor of the ruling.

The “Tush Push” has become popularized because of the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom the play has become automatic in third/fourth-and-short situations. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is lined up under center, while at the snap, players from behind push him forward.

While the play has been essential to finding success for the Eagles, other teams have struggled to replicate the same effectiveness. When playing the Eagles, NFL teams try to come up with innovative ways to stop the “Tush Push.”

Eagles head coach called the move to ban the play “a little insulting.”

In the NFC Championship, the Washington Commanders experimented with a strategy in which linebacker Frankie Luvu timed his jump over the line of scrimmage. Although the play went viral, it was ineffective.

The debate about fairness centers around the decision to ban a play that primarily benefits one team. The greater risk lies with player safety. Some want the play banned because of the injury risks to both the quarterback and linemen.

Questions about player safety and the fairness of the play have been highly debated for multiple years. Given the passion of the debate, it’s no surprise that after one vote, the dust isn’t settled.

As of now, “The Brotherly Shove” is here to stay.