Frankie Luvu Calls for NFL to Ban ‘Tush Push’ as League Reconsiders Controversial Play

Frankie Luvu, linebacker for the Washington Commanders, has voiced strong support for banning the NFL’s controversial “tush push” play. His frustrations stem from a personal experience during the NFC Championship Game, where he was penalized three consecutive times for leaping over the line in an attempt to counter the Philadelphia Eagles’ notorious short-yardage tactic.

The infractions reached a point where referee Shawn Hochuli warned that further such behavior could result in an automatic score. Luvu’s perspective will likely be considered during this week’s NFL owners meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, where the topic is expected to resurface.

Tush Push Faces Scrutiny Amid Tactical Success and Divided Opinions Among NFL Teams

The proposal to ban the tush rule originated from the Green Bay Packers and was initially brought up at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. However, it was tabled after a deadlocked 16-16 vote among the 32 NFL teams, falling short of the 24 votes required for adoption.

Luvu, appearing on “Good Morning Football,” described the play as “a cheapo play,” likening it to a rugby scrum. He acknowledged the counterargument—teams simply need to defend better—but emphasized the deceptive nature of the snap cadence, which contributed to his repeated penalties.

The Philadelphia Eagles have turned the tush push into a cornerstone of their offensive strategy, achieving notable success. Over the past three seasons, the play has resulted in 27 touchdowns and 92 first downs, primarily executed by quarterback Jalen Hurts with support from multiple players pushing from behind.

Its consistent effectiveness has made it a hot-button issue, especially for teams that struggle to defend against it. Despite its perceived unfairness, many argue that its legality is rooted in good execution rather than rule-bending.

Safety Concerns Persist Despite No Injuries Reported from Controversial Tush Push Play

Although critics raise safety concerns about the play, the NFL’s health and safety department has found no recorded injuries directly linked to the tush push. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged potential safety considerations but admitted that hard data is lacking.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie defended the play, emphasizing that the absence of injury data supports its continued use. This debate underscores a broader tension in the NFL between competitive fairness and player safety, both of which influence the league’s rule-making decisions.

In addition to the tush push debate, NFL owners will consider a proposal from the Detroit Lions regarding playoff seeding. The suggestion is to seed teams based on regular-season records rather than division championships, though division winners would still be guaranteed playoff spots.

This aims to address disparities where strong wild-card teams face lower-seeded division winners on the road. Another notable proposal concerns NFL players’ participation in the 2028 Olympics for flag football. It includes restrictions on player selection and provisions for injury protection, showing the league’s interest in balancing global exposure with player welfare.