The future of Philadelphia’s notorious short-yardage maneuver, the “T### Push,” was concluded Tuesday, May 21. The NFL owners have voted, and the signature Eagles play lives on next season by the slightest of margins.
But here’s the deal: the Green Bay Packers, stung by a playoff defeat to Philly, led an effort that eventually outlawed this controversial play. They contended it unfairly benefitted the Eagles and questioned whether it was safe for players. But when the league’s 32 owners convened for their spring meetings, there were enough holdouts that a proposed ban on the “T### Push” fell just short, receiving just 22 votes (two short of the 24 needed for it to pass), according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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So, what is this T### Push, anyway? Affectionately known as the “Brotherly Shove,” it’s a crafty short-yardage play in which multiple offensive players physically push their quarterback forward after the snap to gain much-needed inches. Since implementing it in 2022, the Eagles have utilized it extensively, generating a remarkable 92 first downs and 27 touchdowns from this strategy.
Not everyone is in favor of the move, however. Except for the Packers, a handful of teams, including the Ravens, Patriots, Jets, and Lions, backed Philly, voting to allow the play to remain legal. Others have derided it, pointing to player safety concerns and questioning whether it’s a fair and competitive tool. The league also considered more broadly outlawing any pushing, pulling, or lifting of the ball carrier, not just face tackling, but that proposal also went nowhere.
Regardless of what to make of that, the Eagles’ success with it is apparent. It has evolved to become more than just a play but a signature of Philadelphia’s offense, a symbol of their grit and collective effort. And it has commanded the attention of coaches throughout the league, some of whom have tried to replicate it, though few can equal Philly’s precision.
Eagles fans went wild on social media as the vote came to a close. For them, “T### Push” is not just a play; it’s a part of the team’s identity. Its continuation means one more season of nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat short-yardage drama.
If so, then as we continue our look to the next five years, the “Brotherly Shove” is alive and well and will, once again, shove itself into the hearts of Eagles fans and, potentially, the record books. And you can bet Philly will continue to push and push when it comes to moving those chains.
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