Few football plays have been so thoroughly vilified as the ‘Tush Push.’ Philadelphia Eagles all-time great play has been praised as much as it has been condemned and mocked by players, coaches, and fans. New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley recently added to the debate with a brazen statement to argue on behalf of the critics of the play.
The ‘Tush Push’ Explained
The ‘Tush Push’ is a sneak-yardage play wherein the quarterback, typically from a sneak set, is shoved from behind by his teammates to push for additional yards. The play has benefited the Eagles immensely with outstanding performances since they utilized the play during the conversion of turning-point downs to touchdowns.
The play was adopted because it worked. Eagles coaches and the likes mastered the move and utilized it when the time was right. The effectiveness and simplicity of the ‘Tush Push’ were an example that any coach would ever desire, and thus, practiced in bulk.
Controversy and Criticism
As much as it is popular, the ‘Tush Push’ has generally been decried. The play is unethical and contrary to sporting spirit in the game. The play is so offense-oriented that it is practically impenetrable by defense, and it is on this basis that there have been calls for banning the play. Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants superstar, has finally responded to the ‘Tush Push’ scandal. Someone who is known to speak his mind and call a spade a spade, Barkley never hesitated in pointing fingers at the critics of the play.
Barkley’s Message to Critics
In a recent report, Barkley provided a truthful but perhaps poetic answer to the ‘Tush Push’ detractors:
“If you don’t like it, get better at stopping it”.
The rhetoric is appealing to the competitive thinking and challenging the defense to stop that type of play better.Barkley also appealed to fair competition and fair play. Barkley concludes that ‘Tush Push’ is a fair play by the gamelike rules of the game. In pushing defenses to breaking, Barkley appeals to the football game as a game to be rewarded for cleverness and for cunning.
The Overlooked Contemplation: Likely Prohibition
With Barkley now providing provoking quotes, whether or not to prohibit the ‘Tush Push’ play is something to be wondered. NFL has appeared to have considered the possibility of whether it would introduce an amendment rule so that the play would be prohibited, and it has horrific effects on the teams utilizing such a play.
The NFL competition committee is studying the ‘Tush Push’ and whether it is contributing to or detracting from the game. League officials increasingly worry that the play is giving teams on the field an added competitive edge. The league would be forced to have teams re-design short-yardage plays and adapt to changing rules by banning it.
With the ‘Tush Push’ scandal already deep in trouble and on page one, the destiny of the play now hangs by a thread. The NFL ruling will certainly create precedent and what clubs would do in the future. Whatever ruling will be passed, the scandal is evidence only of the football lifestyle’s excesses and of its constantly looking for innovation.
Welcoming Innovation
The ‘Tush Push’ story is an eye-opener to innovation in sport. Sport innovates day by day with footballers never knowing any new means or method, and it gives rise to more issues and problems each time. It is an eye-opener to accepting change and innovation in a bid to survive in the ever-changing world of professional football.
Saquon Barkley’s boisterous advice to ‘Tush Push’ rivals is that there is a greater problem that the NFL must address. Although the league was unable to prohibit the play, the franchises will need to toughen up for action that will rewrite their game plan. Scandal justified the new face of football and the pursuit of a free benefit. Whether or not the ‘Tush Push’ would be included in this sport henceforth, it would at least always be the force behind being at the forefront of bringing innovation and creativity to the sport.
