With the Tush Push on the verge of being banned, the Philadelphia Eagles launched a full-court press to keep the play legal in the NFL. They even enlisted the help of their extensive alumni network, bringing in former Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce to lobby NFL owners on why the play should remain legal.
Their efforts paid off, with the proposal to ban the Tush Push coming up just short of the required 24 votes. It’s unclear how much influence Kelce had in saving the play he helped make famous, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently shed light on his exact role at the Spring League Meeting.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter Reveals Jason Kelce’s Role in Preventing Tush Push Ban
On Wednesday, Schefter reported that Kelce was “in Minneapolis on behalf of the Eagles this morning to lobby NFL owners as to why they should keep, and not ban, the Tush Push play.”
Former Philadelphia Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce is in Minneapolis on behalf of the Eagles this morning to lobby NFL owners as to why they should keep, and not ban, the Tush Push play. pic.twitter.com/SCKJcpqDE5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Today, the ESPN Insider shared further details on Kelce’s visit to the City of Lakes. According to Schefter, the Eagles think the Tush Push is misunderstood, and they brought Kelce in to explain the finer details of the play to those in attendance.
With owner Jeffrey Lurie and Kelce in the room, Schefter says the Eagles were able to “clarify how the play is coached and how it’s taught. They made a compelling case on safety and taking away the downfield push that turns people off.”
Schefter explained, “From an offensive prospective, it’s not a linear player crashing head-first into an opponent. The objective is to play with leverage, get below your opponent, and then rise up to create the wave that the ball-carrier can ride.”
Teams Voting Against Tush Push Taking ‘Proactive Stance Towards Health and Safety’
While the majority of Philadelphia fans assume rival teams are being petty and vindictive in wanting to ban the Tush Push, Schefter says teams believe they’re doing what’s best for their players.
“The people who voted against this play, that wanted it banned, they believe they’re taking a proactive stance towards health and safety. But there just weren’t enough teams to get it done, so the Tush Push lives another day.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell is reportedly among those wanting the play out of the game, so this issue is far from resolved. This conversation is likely to resurface again next off-season, and it will be interesting to see if the league can counter Kelce’s influence next time around.