You may despise the ‘tush push,’ and that’s perfectly valid. However, if you’re calling for the play to be banned—or worse, eliminated entirely—Ryan Clark might just tell you to “shut the hell up.” Complaining about the tush push has become a trending topic following Super Bowl LIX. Jim Nantz wants the play removed from the game, deeming it unworthy of football. In contrast, individuals like Adam Schefter consider efforts to ban the play, such as those from the Green Bay Packers, to be outright childish.
Clark aligns with Schefter’s sentiments. During a segment on NFL Live Monday, the former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl safety criticized attempts from outspoken detractors like Packers president Mark Murphy to ban the play, labeling them “dumb” and “soft.”
“It’s dumb and it’s soft.” @realrclark25 on the proposal of banning the tush push. pic.twitter.com/kVwlbm4Drs
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 24, 2025
Clark expressed frustration, questioning the reasoning behind such thoughts: “How soft do you have to be? ‘Oh, we can’t stop it. Our defensive tackles aren’t tough enough. Our linebackers get hurt.’ Shut the hell up and bow your neck. Get physical and stop the play. As Mina says, it’s like everything else in sports—if you lack the personnel to execute, then it simply won’t happen. Trust me, whatever team Matthew Stafford plays for next season won’t be implementing the tush push. Don’t even worry about it. Don’t bother practicing it.” He emphasized the importance of preparation and strategy, citing the Kansas City Chiefs who came into the AFC Championship with a methodical plan to counteract quarterback sneaks and stop plays effectively.
For Clark, the notion of forbidding a play instead of refining coaching strategies is misguided. “To be honest, considering the play’s execution, it’s harder for teams to practice it successfully,” he said. “Unless it’s a player health and safety issue, it shouldn’t be removed from the game.” Ultimately, the tush push is likely to remain, primarily because it is effective. It’s not a mere coincidence; it’s a tactic the Eagles have mastered. If you’re not prepared to counter it, that responsibility lies with you.
If the play frustrates you, the answer isn’t to ban it but to learn how to beat it, according to Clark. The emphasis should be on becoming tougher, smarter, and more physical, rather than resorting to the rulebook when challenges arise. This is football, after all, and the most successful teams adapt rather than complain.
