In the world of professional football, innovation is often the key to success. From daring lateral throws to unconventional tricks, such as the Kansas City Chiefs' "snow globe" play from last season, creative plays can be effective in such an unpredictable sport.
In the case of the Philadelphia Eagles, their ingenious play, affectionately known as the "Brotherly Shove," has taken the NFL by storm.
The "Brotherly Shove" is a distinctive play that has garnered attention from football fans across the nation. This play, sometimes referred to as the "tush push" or a reengineered quarterback sneak, involves two players lining up behind the quarterback to give him a forceful shove during the play, ultimately helping to gain crucial yardage on third or fourth downs.
It's a tightly coordinated blocking scheme, with quarterback Jalen Hurts following center Jason Kelce's expert technique, while tight end Dallas Goedert and others provide the extra push. The result has an impressive success rate, with the Eagles converting 93.5% of their sneaks during their Super Bowl run last season.
One cannot deny the exhilaration that comes with watching the "Brotherly Shove" in action. It has become a fan favorite, not only among Eagles supporters but also among fans of the game in general. As a Chicago Bears fan, I have grown an affinity toward the Eagles thanks to their captivating playstyle, passionate fan base and loveable center, Jason Kelce.
During the NFL off-season, however, the "Brotherly Shove" spurred controversy. The league is now considering banning the play, citing concerns about player safety as the main issue. According to a tweet from ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the NFL competition committee plans to study injury data related to the play.
The controversy surrounding this play isn't primarily driven by concerns over injuries, though. Instead, it stems from the play's almost unstoppable nature, which has left many NFL owners, coaches, players and fans feeling irked. While some teams have attempted to incorporate the play into their strategies, it rarely matches the level of effectiveness achieved by the Eagles, thus adding to the frustration and debate.
Another argument is that the “tush push” isn’t a football play. NFL reporter Peter King has called for the NFL to ban the play, saying it is “an abomination” that belongs in rugby, not the NFL. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player and now offensive tackle for the Eagles, however, does not agree.
“It’s got nothing to do with any rugby movements… It’s not a rugby play,” Mailata said on the “New Heights” podcast. “I learned the ‘Brotherly Shove’ here at the Eagles. I didn’t incorporate anything to carry over. [Jason Kelce], [Jason Peters] and [Jeff Stoutland] taught me the ‘Brotherly Shove.’”
Football is an inherently high-contact sport, and the "Brotherly Shove" is no exception. While injuries are a concern, it's worth noting this play is no more dangerous than many other plays allowed in football. The NFL is already committed to player safety through rule changes and player equipment improvements. Eliminating the "Brotherly Shove" won't necessarily make the game significantly safer and banning it would be a premature and unjust decision.
