The “tush push,” “brotherly shove,” or more formally the quarterback sneak, is one of the most controversial plays in football. So much so that some teams are fighting to have the NFL ban it. However, coach Nick Sirianni, one of the masters of this play, is defending it tooth and nail.
The infamous tush push is a play in which one or more team members push the quarterback from behind to cross the line of scrimmage. It is used in short-yardage situations and is practically unstoppable when executed well.
The Philadelphia Eagles have mastered the play to such a degree that it led to the first touchdown of Super Bowl LIX, which they won 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s why Sirianni is outraged by the Green Bay Packers’ request to ban the play.
“I feel insulted”: Sirianni
The idea of banning the tush push has been gaining traction. There have been discussions about it at the NFL Scouting Combine, but Sirianni is not willing to compromise on that front. “I almost feel a little insulted because we work so hard at that play,” the Eagles’ helmsman said.
He explained that they have invested a lot of time in perfecting that play, as it all comes down to the fundamentals of football. “There are a thousand plays out there, but it comes down to how you teach the fundamentals and how the players go through the fundamentals.”
Sirianni couldn’t hide his annoyance with the proposal to ban the play. “The fact that it’s a successful play for the Eagles and people want to take that away, I think is a little unfair,” the coach said, also rejecting the notion that it is an “automatic play,” as some have called it.
Is there a risk of injury with the tush push?
One of the Packers’ arguments for banning the quarterback sneak is the risk of injury to players. However, Sirianni said that the numbers do not suggest there is a greater risk to players’ health than with any other play.
The team owners could discuss Green Bay’s request at their next meeting, from March 30 to April 2 in Palm Beach, Florida. The proposal must win 28 votes for approval, and we already know who will vote against it.
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