Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is stepping into the spotlight amid the controversy surrounding the “tush push,” a controversial play that has sparked discussions across NFL circles. As team owners prepare to vote on a rule change aimed at limiting the ability for ball carriers, including Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, to be pushed by teammates, Kelce is ready to clarify his stance directly.
On his popular podcast, “New Heights,” Kelce expressed his intention to attend the upcoming owners’ meeting in Minnesota. He made it clear that his previous comments have been misunderstood, and he wants to ensure that no one thinks he views the tush push as a dangerous maneuver or that it played a part in his decision to retire.
“I’m actually going to Minnesota,” he stated candidly. “There were things said at the last owners’ meeting where some owners and coaches implied that my retirement was related to the tush push and the injuries I faced from it. I’m here to clear the air. If anyone has questions about my experience with this play, I’m more than willing to answer.”
Kelce emphasized that he has no strong feelings on whether the play should be banned. The core of his message is straightforward: regardless of the outcome of the vote, the Eagles will continue to execute quarterback sneaks effectively.
“I’ll tell you this: if you told me, ‘All you gotta do is run 80 tush pushes to play in the NFL,’ I’d jump back in a heartbeat. It would be the easiest job in the world,” he quipped, showcasing his familiarity and comfort with the play in question.
As the clock ticks down to the owners’ vote, the NFL community awaits to see if Kelce’s voice will sway opinions or if the proposed rule change will indeed alter one of the Eagles’ most effective strategies. If his offer to provide input is embraced, it might just shed light on the complexities of this polarizing play, reminding fans and owners alike of the dynamics at play in the game they love.
