NFL Owners Vote 22-10 to Retain Tush Push Play

NFL owners voted 22-10 against a proposed ban on the controversial 'tush push' play, falling short of the 24 votes needed to remove it, allowing the play to continue for another season. The Green Bay Packers led the effort to ban the play, citing safety concerns and its 'rugby' nature, but the proposal was opposed by teams including the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been the primary users and beneficiaries of the play. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and former center Jason Kelce advocated strongly for keeping the play, which has been a key factor in the Eagles’ recent success, including their Super Bowl win. The play involves teammates pushing the quarterback forward during a sneak, and the Eagles have scored 27 touchdowns with it since 2022, more than double any other team. Safety concerns were emphasized by Bills coach Sean McDermott and the NFL’s health and safety committees, which unanimously supported the ban, but the vote reflected a division among owners. Former defensive star Ndamukong Suh also voiced support for the play, arguing that defenses should focus on stopping it rather than banning it outright.