Cooper DeJean breaks silence on Eagles’ controversial “tush push” amid talks of it getting banned in future: “I feel bad for other teams”

Cooper DeJean interestingly joined in the ongoing debate over the Tush Push play, asserting teams should focus on finding ways to counter it.

Cooper DeJean breaks silence on Eagles’ controversial “tush push” amid talks of it getting banned in future: “I feel bad for other teams”

Cooper DeJean on Eagles' controversial tush push (Via NY Times/ESPN)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push play has been subject to intense scrutiny lately, particularly after its aggressive execution in recent games, including Super Bowl LIX. Rookie Cooper DeJean interestingly joined in the ongoing debate over the infamous play, pitying other teams. 

While appearing on NFL on CBS, the rookie cornerback was asked about the controversial play that is a prime topic of discussion throughout the league. While admitting that the play is intensely “physical,” he doesn’t believe it should be banned, which seemed a rather safe answer from a rookie’s point of view. 

YouTube video

Speaking purely as a defender, DeJean pitied other teams that have struggled against the “Tush Push” and proposed a ban, suggesting that they should focus on finding ways to counter it instead. He firmly defended the play as legitimate, disagreeing with Green Bay Packers owner Mark Murphy’s assertion that it was not a true football play. 

FS Video

“I don’t think it should,” replied the 22-year-old when asked if the play should be banned from a defensive point of view.

It’s a really physical football play and it’s almost unstoppable, so you just have to find ways to stop it. Luckily they don’t run it in practice against us so we don’t have to go up against it. But… I feel bad for the other teams that have to see that.

Cooper DeJean added

DeJean’s stance on the controversial “Tush Push” certainly doesn’t come as a surprise since he is coming off a Super Bowl victory, where his team thrived on that play against the Kansas City Chiefs. And since Philly has mastered this play, turning it into a predicted conversion, it’s unlikely to be banned unless other teams start gearing up like that. 

Cooper DeJean game-changing pick-six in Super Bowl LIX

Winning the Super Bowl at the age of 22 has certainly changed DeJean’s life as he admitted, especially after the rookie defensive back recorded a pick-six of the elite quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, it took him some time to realize how big of a moment it was for his career. 

Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean, Super Bowl LIX (Via People)

It happened in the second quarter when the Chiefs were trailing 10-0 but still appeared to be in contention. But using his presence of mind, DeJean seized the opportunity when the Chiefs’ superstar Mahomes threw an errant pass, and he intercepted it at the Chiefs’ 38-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. 

DeJean’s game-changing interception gave the Eagles a massive 17-0 lead, which significantly helped the Eagles to establish a commanding advantage over the Chiefs that ultimately led to their historic 40-22 triumph. 

Related: (Video) Broadcast bizarrely focuses on Patrick Mahomes instead of ongoing Houston-Texas Tech game