Despite Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL’s efforts, the Tush Push — also known as the Brotherly Shove — will stay legal for at least one more season.
A proposal to ban the play, made famous by Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, was voted on during the May 21 Spring League Meeting. But it fell two votes short of the 24 needed to pass.
ESPN’s Booger McFarland Says Banning Tush Push Would Be ‘Unfair to Eagles’
At least one NFL analyst welcomed the result. ESPN’s Booger McFarland celebrated with applause on ESPN’s “NFL Live.”
“I’m extremely happy that it’s still around. I was one of the ones that’s been against (banning) it,” McFarland said.
“Everybody has the opportunity to do it in the National Football League. We’ve seen the Buffalo Bills try it with some success with Josh Allen, but everyone can do this play if they want to,” McFarland added.
“I thought it would really be unfair to punish the Eagles because they have perfected this play based on their quarterback and his physical structure, and how strong he is, and based on how good their offensive line is.”
"If you don't like it, stop it. It's really simple."
—@ESPNBooger on the Eagles' tush push pic.twitter.com/37KBwplfRl
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL)
While McFarland admitted the Tush Push could lead to injuries, he said he’s against banning plays simply because of what might happen.
“I get it, it’s a ‘dangerous play’ based on what may happen. But until I see some injury data or something that has happened, I’m going to be where I am now, which is in favor of the Tush Push moving on. Essentially, this is a quarterback sneak. And there’s no effort and no momentum to ban the quarterback sneak.”
Still, McFarland did raise one concern. He said there’s a gray area when players start pushing ball carriers well past the line of scrimmage.
“I do think where there’s a little bit of a gray area is when it gets into pushing ball-carriers when they’re 10 or 15 yards down the field. I think that’s something that referees have to control with how early they blow the whistle.”
McFarland Sends Blunt Message to Those in Favor of Banning Tush Push
McFarland ended his segment with a simple message: “But as far as the Tush Push itself and that specific play, I’m glad that it lives on. And if you don’t like it, stop it.”
That sentiment has been echoed across the league. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, one of 10 teams that voted against the ban, said he has “a hard time making things illegal because of success.”
Goodell and the league often get their way eventually, so don’t be surprised if this comes up again next offseason. But for now, the Tush Push survives another year.