Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles broke football with their use of the ‘Tush Push,’ also known as the ‘Brotherly Shove’ or ‘Snoopy play,’ to move the chains on short-yardage situations. It is completely legal and virtually unstoppable.
Other teams have tried and failed to run the ‘Tush Push,’ like the Giants earlier this year. The Eagles have yet to be stopped with any consistency.
However, the usage has skyrocketed on all levels of the sport over the last 12 months. NFL teams are using it. College teams — like Nick Saban and Alabama — are using it. High school teams are using it. Pop Warner teams are using it.
For the most part, nobody can stop it. There is a very minimal chance to get a jump on a massive offensive line that knows the snap count. Having the additional push on the butt cheek of the quarterback only helps to ensure that the pile will move forward.
No matter how hard they try to keep the ball from advancing forward, defenses are at the mercy of the ‘Tush Push.’ They are mostly unsuccessful and the solution — outside of a NFL-wide ban — is unclear.
Is it possible to stop the Tush Push?
Only one high school football player has discovered the way forward. His name is Easton Stapleton. He is a linebacker for Lumberton High School in Texas.
Stapleton did not allow the quarterback sneak or ensuing push on the tush to develop. As soon as the ball was snapped, he jumped over the offensive line and used a WWE-like flip to make an insane tackle.
Stapleton flew into the backfield on the tail end of a running start before the quarterback could fully gather the snap and take the first step forward. The tackle was made instantaneously.
Troy Polamalu used to jump the snap and block kicks. The NFL has since banned that move.
Does it apply to flips? Does it apply to quarterback sneaks?
The solution to the ‘Tush Push’ has been found. Stapleton figured it out!
To use the flip stop on the college and NFL levels will be difficult. Can it be done or will the Eagles continue to dominate the line of scrimmage on short-yardage downs?