Jason Kelce sets the record straight after Bills owner misinterprets ‘Tush Push’ remarks

Jason Kelce, veteran Philadelphia Eagles star was a part of their maiden Super Bowl title and retired a year ago.

Jason Kelce sets the record straight after Bills owner misinterprets ‘Tush Push’ remarks

Jason Kelce, Terry Pegula (Images via FHQ/Sports Business Journal)

The debate over the controversial “tush push” play took center stage during the NFL’s annual league meetings in Florida. The play, most notably used by the Philadelphia Eagles, was at the heart of a proposal by the Green Bay Packers to have it banned.

Supporters of the ban argue that the play poses a heightened risk to player safety. Among them are the Buffalo Bills, who voiced strong concern about the toll it may take on athletes.

The Bills co-owner Terry Pegula raised this as a concern during a closed-door discussion. Pegula reportedly cited the recent retirement of Eagles center Jason Kelce as an example, claiming Kelce stepped away due to “wear and tear from the tush push.” His comments came as a response to the Eagles’ owner’s defense of the strategy. According to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, some in the room viewed Pegula’s comment as a joke.

Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy, who introduced the proposal to ban the tush push, told reporters after the meeting that he believed Jason Kelce had previously expressed relief about no longer being part of the play, citing its perceived danger.

Terry Pegula and Mark Murphy’s comment seemed to have stemmed from the Steam Room podcast comments made by Jason Kelce.

For me, as a center, it sucks. It’s a grueling play where you’re going to get as low as possible…If I get grass on my facemask I probably did the play pretty good, because I got as low as possible and drove forward. If you get low and drive forward, it’s really hard for the defense to stop it.

Jason Kelce admitted on the podcast in February

Kelce, however, was quick to respond to Pegula’s claim. He noted that Pegula had misunderstood what he meant in the podcast.

I think the good gentleman from Buffalo appears to have misunderstood my meaning of the word grueling, I have never called the play dangerous. If the NFL wishes to summon me for legitimate thoughts on the tush push under oath, I’d be glad to give my testimony.

Jason Kelce wrote on X

Jason Kelce remains rooted for the Tush Push

In the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Jason Kelce noted that he doesn’t think the play is unsafe. He acknowledged concerns about the play’s appearance but rejected the idea that it presents a real injury threat.

Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce (Image Via Newsweek)

He confessed that it wasn’t a threat for him when he donned the Philadelphia Eagles cleats. He went on to note that there’s not enough statistics to back the claim that Tush Push might be unsafe.

I get why some people think that it’s potentially unsafe. I think optically it looks unsafe. For me personally, I never felt like there’s that much more more of a risk of injuring somebody on the play, and I don’t think there’s any statistics to back that up. … I think the only argument I see for potentially banning it is—is there a competitive advantage? Is it unfair that players can push?

Jason Kelce said

According to ESPN data, the tush push made up only 0.28% of all plays last season. Over the past three seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills have used the play more than the other 30 NFL teams combined. Furthermore, the NFL also found that there were no injuries caused due to the play as well.

He added that the only fair criticism may be whether the play creates an unfair competitive advantage. For now, no decision was made at the meetings, and the proposal has been tabled until May.

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