The latest NFL decision to ban the “Tush Push” play is a controversial twist to the rulebook. The fact that the prohibition of the play has caused mention of inequity, player safety, and the league’s willingness to tinker has gone a long way to jumpstart the waves of criticism. Below, we unpack why the ban is so controversial and what it means for the future of football.
How the ‘Tush Push’ developed and came to be the Eagles’ game saver
He was merely attempting to make the quarterback sneak slightly different, teammates shoving the quarterback in the back for valuable yards. The dilemma with playing the Eagles, be it until the end in the Tush Push, turning short yardage into near impossible stop defense, was a dilemma for all those teams. But teams throughout the NFL copied the Tush Push, employed it, and, less so, condemned it.
Of course, the athletics played out fine, but other players and coaches complained the calendar had given them an unfair advantage and watered down the competition. The Eagles confounded their opponents by spending what seemed like mandatory time blocking, while the rules reform movement began to pick up, with the stage soon to feature a trend that would become a massive league issue.
Why some called it a ‘cheapo play,‘ adversary teams, and coaches
The Tush Push wasn’t going to be for everyone. Those coaching benches called the play ‘cheapo’ play, no finesse, just raw strength. Some said it needs to be plugged as a loophole, others labelled it brilliant football, and what fuelled the fires further was what you always get with a final: an element of luck.
Why did the NFL decide, and what’s tearing the league apart about the ban?
The ban on the Tush Push had been months of hot controversy among NFL coaches, owners, and league officials. Others said it made one athlete more injury-prone when they were caught by the hard surface. Some said banning the play strangled creativity, and that the play was already in the book of rules.
The vote to ban wasn’t unanimous and simply shows how the league is balkanized. Some owners were worried that if the play succeeded, it would be impossible to ban; others were worried that making the play illegal would set a precedent for banning winning strategies.
How the game could change given what teams and fans can expect now
With the Tush Push no longer an option, teams will have to redefine the short-yardage game. Coaches are already starting to seek alternative methods of outwitting each other, and fans debate whether or not the ban will enhance the safety of the game or lower its excitement factor. The Eagles will be especially forced to adapt and will need to discover new methods of taking charge of the game in crunch time.
The prohibition also speaks to broader questions regarding how the NFL views innovation and equity. Will the same innovative plays be viewed in the same disdain going forward? Only time will give us the answer for how this decision will determine the destiny of football. Since the rosters are dynamic, the coaches and the players may be tasked with inventing even more creative plays, exploiting the limits of what can be done on the field.
The Tush Push ban is a hot topic in NFL history. The Tush Push ban controversy isn’t so much a game—it’s an indication of the frustration of professional football with finding a middle ground between safety, fairness, and innovation. As the teams shift and the fans argue, the ruling of a league will continue to test controversy on what is best for the game of football.
