The “tush push” play, popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles, will remain in effect in the NFL after failing to obtain the necessary votes for its prohibition.
The proposal, presented by the Green Bay Packers, did not garner enough support at Wednesday’s spring meeting.
Before the vote, Jason Kelce, former Eagles center, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie spoke with team owners to defend the play’s permanence.
The final vote ended with a result of 22-10, with two votes missing to reach the required majority (24 votes).
In another vote, NFL owners approved a proposal that allows teams to declare a short kick at any point in the game when they are losing. In addition, the kicking team’s players will line up with their front foot on the 35-yard line, a rule change that brings the position one yard closer.
The original proposal, specifically focused on the “tush push” play and initially presented by the Packers, had been postponed last month at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
At that moment, the vote was split 16-16 between the 32 teams.
The Packers resubmitted the proposal before the start of the spring meeting, modifying the language to more broadly prohibit pushing or pulling the ball carrier anywhere on the field. The new wording stated that “offensive players cannot assist the runner, except by individually blocking opponents for him.” The Packers also removed the phrase “immediately at the snap” in the updated version.
The “tush push” play was used in 0.28% of total plays last year, but the Eagles and the Buffalo Bills were the teams that used it the most.
Both teams combined for 163 “tush pushes” over the last three seasons, outpacing the rest of the NFL combined.
The Eagles and Bills were not only the teams that used the play the most, but they were also the most successful. They managed to score a touchdown or get a first down on 87% of their “tush push” attempts, while the rest of the league had a 71% success rate.
On Tuesday, prominent Eagles players downplayed the significance of the play. Wide receiver A.J. Brown said he had no opinion on the vote, adding that “it’s just 1 yard.” For his part, left tackle Jordan Mailata joked that the Eagles would simply have to “do it without pushing.”
In terms of banning the “tush push”, I hate that name, so I hope they ban it, it’s a stupid name.
Jordan Mailata
