The tush push has lived to see another day in the NFL
On Wednesday, May 21, league owners voted on a proposal to ban the controversial play, but it failed to garner enough votes
Jason Kelce and the Philadelphia Eagles are fans of the play, and run it more than any other team in the NFL
Long live the tush push!
NFL owners have voted to keep the controversial football play a part of the game — much to the celebration of Jason Kelce and his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kelce and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie lobbied owners before the vote in Eagan, Minn. on Wednesday, May 21, ESPN reported.
And while the retired Eagles center didn’t address the media, Lurie did, saying that he was “pleased” with the outcome.
In the latest episode of his New Heights podcast with brother Travis Kelce, Jason had more to say about the play.
Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Jason Kelce during a 2017 game
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“I’ll come out of retirement today if you tell me all I’ve got to do is run 80 tush pushes to play in the NFL,” Jason, 37, said, pushing back on the notion that the Eagles’ propensity for running the play was responsible for injuries which led to his retirement. “I’ll do that gladly. It’ll be the easiest job in the world.”
The proposal to ban the tush push was initially put forth by the Green Bay Packers — who have called the play “dangerous” — and needed 24 votes to pass.
With a final vote 22-10, the tush push avoided a ban.
Of note, the 10 teams that voted against the proposal (or in favor of the tush push) were the Eagles — plus nine teams that aren’t scheduled to play them this season: the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans.
Last month, Kelce attempted to clear up previous comments he made about the play, which the Eagles have run an NFL-leading 108 times since 2022, per ESPN.
The future NFL Hall of Famer explained that he previously called the play “grueling,” and not “dangerous” for players — but said his commentary was “misunderstood” by reporters.
“If the NFL wishes to summon me for legitimate thoughts on the tush push under oath, I’d be glad to give my testimony,” Kelce wrote in his X post.
Read the original article on People
