The Philadelphia Eagles “tush push” has turned into one of the most controversial play calls in some time, to the point where it’s already getting a new moniker in the “Brotherly Shove” because of how well Philly runs it.
If you’re not familiar with the play, it’s the Eagles’ signature goal-line quarterback sneak where Jalen Hurts lunges forward for the touchdown while a Philadelphia blocker gives him a shove in the back to ensure the forward momentum.
Hence, the “tush push” or “Brotherly Shove,” or whatever nickname suits your fancy.
As you can see below, the team ran it successfully against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football this week on 4th-and-goal.
Eagles covert on 4th & goal as Jalen Hurts gets in for the touchdown! pic.twitter.com/lhFgzUOp9I
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 26, 2023
Well, NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, no stranger to controversy, chimed in from the side of the aisle who do not feel that the unique quarterback sneak should be legal because of the alleged advantage that the runner gets with a favorable block in the back.
Simms went as far on-air to suggest that opposing teams should try to, metaphorically speaking, “kill the quarterback” to stop the “tush push.”
“If I was a defensive coach, I’d be going, ‘Go headhunting on the quarterback here. Go ahead. Let ’em have it. Dive over. Go crazy. Try to kill the quarterback.’ That’s what I would do,” Simms said.
He quickly pulled back on his rhetoric (amid backtracking from co-host Mike Florio) by saying he didn’t actually mean they should literally kill the quarterback on a “tush push,” as opposed to “[making] him pay” and “think twice about doing it.”
But still… what on Earth, dude?
Geez, Chris Simms talking about how defenses should approach stopping the tush push
“I'd be going – go headhunting on the QB here…Go crazy, try to kill the OB.”
(H/T: @JTuc9) pic.twitter.com/i2qD545tjW
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 27, 2023
Metaphor or not, it’s still a ridiculously ugly look for Simms to advocate for anyone to specifically target another player because how they try to score a touchdown.
If you want to stop the “tush push,” maybe scheme up a way to stop it like a normal NFL defensive coordinator would instead of trying to put the quarterback on injured reserve for goodness sake.
NFL fans rightfully let Simms have it for this absurd take.
The reactions were fierce to this horrible take.
This is wild take for someone’s who career got derailed after he ruptured his spleen. https://t.co/jOa5ChcUSF
— Shane Ry (@sr_designs_) September 27, 2023
— chandler (@CardsCanyon) September 27, 2023
These 2 gotta be the worst duo on TV https://t.co/X2pVqAhzDZ
— Max Mengert (@Joeandy100) September 27, 2023
It’s not an unstoppable play. Let it go https://t.co/we40bSeeys
— Mark (@mypostdemise) September 27, 2023
This show is trash lol https://t.co/Uq8cvlWIQ2
— Eastside Astronauts (@ESAstronauts) September 27, 2023
Yo what's up with this? This is the 2nd time I've heard this in a week.
Because your favorite team can't stop something, they should play dirty? https://t.co/aj3OFMy7W6
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) September 27, 2023
If I was a microphone, I would simply be away from Chris Simms' mouth. That's what I'd do. https://t.co/X9L9COxm1z
— John Barchard (@JohnBarchard) September 27, 2023
Advocating injury (clownish by itself) because one team is so good at something that the entire league can try and do is pathetic https://t.co/r70nzF3gtF
— Andrew Prinzo (@Prinzo12) September 27, 2023
ok at this point, I genuinely don’t understand the passion and animosity this has brought up. It’s literally just a QB sneak? Most of the time, the line and Jalen get such a good push that the push from behind doesn’t even do anything! https://t.co/QSCciWHGww
— Your pal, CJ! (@yourpalCJ) September 27, 2023
I’m not even gonna give that comment the time of day…
But “Brotherly Shove” is an outstanding name. https://t.co/5ISt2wBInB
— Adam Eargle (@adameargle) September 27, 2023
This guy is a shmuck and so is anyone that wishes for injuries. Be a man https://t.co/v88mwOV5J6
— teddy perkins (@BengalsGuy1848) September 27, 2023
Has anyone ever said this about a regular QB sneak ? https://t.co/cT1p3gq2K5
— Junie B Jones (@_MissRoyal_) September 27, 2023
Still don’t understand what’s Chris simms problem with hurts https://t.co/yOVcztQ0Cx
— Shaolin papi (@Prymetyme_72) September 27, 2023
Chris Simms is my enemy https://t.co/BYodlKT4KW
— Jason Hellerman (@JasonHellerman) September 27, 2023
Same guy that said Philly could win without Hurts as Gardner dropped two straight when Hurts was out. Does he even know ball? https://t.co/ADslfIO9dI
— Levi (@Lcarlos_5) September 27, 2023
