NFL

NFL won’t ban the ‘tush push’ for the 2024 season

Good news, Eagles fans: the NFL will not ban the “tush push” play for the 2024 season.

Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, said Thursday that there won’t be a proposal this offseason to ban the play for next season.

That comes after Commissioner Roger Goodell allegedly said he wanted the league to ban the play — in which multiple teammates push the quarterback forward in short-yardage situations — in December.

Philadelphia Eagles players attempting the 'Tush Push' play during a wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In December, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated he wanted to ban the ‘Tush Push,’ but it will remain legal for the 2024 season AP

The play has become one of the more controversial plays in the NFL.

After being celebrated in 2022 when the Eagles utilized it on their Super Bowl run, dubbing it the “Brotherly Shove,” it has now become a point of contention among teams who view it as a competitive advantage for Philadelphia.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts scored many of his 28 touchdowns over the past two seasons using the “tush push” as the Eagles found a 93.5% success rate with the play in 2022 and a 90% success rate in 2023, according to The Athletic.

Opponents of the play say that because it often creates a pile-up at the line of scrimmage, it isn’t safe and will lead to injuries.

Philadelphia Eagles fan holding up a play sign during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders
Eagles fans have embraced the play, noting how it helps their team gain an edge AP

The play’s controversial history predates Philadelphia’s usage in the past few seasons.

In a 2005 NCAA game between USC and Notre Dame, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart was pushed into the end zone by running back Reggie Bush — a play later known as the “Bush Push” — in a game-winning play, despite it being against the rules.

The play would eventually become legal in both college and the NFL.

In the big leagues, it seems the play will remain legal for at least another year.