Imagine watching an N.F.L. game from back in the day. Players leapt over scrimmage lines to block kicks, swatted field goals from the end zone, and sometimes even gave a cheeky slap to an opponent’s head. Those were all perfectly acceptable plays. Over the years, though, such actions have slowly been outlawed.
Now, there’s talk that the "Tush Push," also known as the "Brotherly Shove," might be next on the chopping block. This maneuver, mastered by the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles, involves their offensive line regrouping tightly, snapping the ball, and muscling forward. Quarterback Jalen Hurts holds onto the ball, lunging ahead with the assistance of the big men pushing from behind.
This tactic has turned into a golden ticket for the Eagles in recent seasons, almost unfailingly yielding the necessary yard or so. However, a complaint has been brought to the league, suggesting that this play should also be banned. While the team behind the complaint hasn’t been officially named, many suspect the Green Bay Packers are behind it.
Mark Murphy, the Packers’ president, voiced his concerns on the team’s website, arguing that the play lacks any real skill, and it’s practically a guaranteed first down for short yardage. On the flip side, Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni and several others view the objection as born out of envy. Sirianni notes it’s not that other teams shy away from the play because it’s unfair; they simply can’t execute it the way the Eagles do.
“We put a lot of effort into that play,” Sirianni explained on NBC. “I know other teams are trying it, and if they could do it successfully, they would.”
Some critics argue the maneuver might pose safety concerns. Yet, a league study hasn’t verified that it significantly heightens injury risk. With the Eagles’ iconic center Jason Kelce retiring, one might have guessed that their prowess with this shove would diminish—but they’ve proven otherwise, bulldozing their way to another championship.
This kind of debate isn’t new in the N.F.L. Let’s take a look back at some other plays that have faced the axe.
The Forward Fumble
Sometimes, a single notorious play can change the rules overnight. In a thrilling 1978 showdown, the Oakland Raiders were on the brink of defeat against the San Diego Chargers, and just 14 yards from a needed touchdown with only seconds left. Quarterback Ken Stabler, about to be sacked, lost the ball forward. A teammate advanced it again, then Dave Casper kicked it into the end zone before pouncing on it for the winning touchdown. Dubbed the "Holy Roller," this play led to a new rule: only the fumbling player can advance the ball in the last two minutes.
Jumping Over the Line
Preventing a field goal can save a team three crucial points. In the 2010s, some agile players, chiefly from the Seattle Seahawks, began leaping over the scrimmage line, aiming to block kicks outright. Their success led to a rule change in 2017, thanks to the Eagles’ proposal, to curb such attempts in most scenarios.
Goaltending, N.F.L. Style
Why not place a giant player by the goalposts to bat away field goals? The Kansas City Chiefs attempted just that in the early 1970s with Morris Stroud, standing 6-foot-10 in front of the posts to block lower kicks. While occasionally effective, this led to a rule prohibiting such tactics in future games by equating it to basketball-style goaltending.
Dangerous Plays
And while innovations in play style are riveting, some banned actions were evident for safety—they include slapping opponents in the head (prohibited in 1977), horse-collar tackling (banned in 2005), and helmet-to-helmet hits (banned in 1996).
While the N.F.L. has a reputation for being a bit rigid, they tweak rules just about every year, hoping to make the game better. As for whether the "Brotherly Shove" should be outlawed, well, that might depend on where your loyalties lie or how you interpret the lengthy and complex N.F.L. rulebook.
Or maybe just whether you cheer for the Eagles.
