The Philadelphia Eagles and former center Jason Kelce played a significant role in convincing NFL teams not to ban the tush push play. The proposed ban, which was popularized by the Eagles, did not receive enough votes at the spring meeting in Eagan, Minnesota. Before the vote, Kelce and team owner Jeffrey Lurie lobbied for the merits of keeping the play, ultimately leading to a 22-10 vote against the proposal. The Eagles, along with nine other teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, stood against the ban, while former Eagles coordinators coaching the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals voted in favor.
Kelce’s refusal to comment on the vote and Lurie’s brief statement expressing his pleasure with the outcome highlighted the Eagles’ support for the tush push. Kelce, in a recent podcast, emphasized that he was more concerned about dispelling misconceptions regarding the play’s safety rather than the potential ban. Despite the low frequency of the tush push in games, the Eagles and Buffalo Bills were the most successful teams in executing the play, scoring touchdowns or achieving first downs on 87% of their attempts.
The NFL owners also approved a proposal allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any time during a game if they are trailing, with players on the kicking team now lining up one yard closer than before. The original proposal, centered around the tush push, was revised to more broadly ban pushing or pulling the ball carrier anywhere on the field. Although the play’s usage was minimal, the Eagles and Bills were pioneers in incorporating the tush push into their game strategy, demonstrating its effectiveness despite its infrequent appearance. The strong advocacy from the Eagles and Kelce played a crucial role in swaying the votes against the ban, preserving the unique play in NFL games.
So, there you have it. The Eagles, led by Jason Kelce, managed to keep the tush push alive in the NFL, despite facing a proposed ban. The vote at the spring meeting in Minnesota showcased the influence of the Eagles organization in advocating for the play’s retention, with Kelce’s active involvement in dispelling safety concerns surrounding the tush push. The success rate of the play by the Eagles and Bills further solidified the argument against the ban, emphasizing its effectiveness on the field. With the support of several teams and key figures within the league, the tush push will continue to be a part of NFL games, thanks to the efforts of the Eagles and Kelce.
