Jason Kelce’s Secret Lobbying Exposed: How One Emotional Speech at the NFL Owners’ Meeting Saved the ‘Tush Push’ – Travis Kelce Reveals the Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Battle That Divided the League!
When the NFL’s annual Owners Meeting rolled around this offseason, one play had the league buzzing louder than most—no, it wasn’t a flashy touchdown or a game-saving interception. It was the infamous Tush Push, a short-yardage quarterback sneak weaponized most notably by the Philadelphia Eagles. The controversial yet effective play was once again up for discussion, with speculation mounting that the league’s owners might ban or restrict its use. But in a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Travis and Jason Kelce revealed the inside scoop—and why Jason, perhaps unknowingly, may have been the reason the play survived another season.
The Tush Push: Controversial but Unstoppable
For those unfamiliar, the Tush Push—technically a rugby-style quarterback sneak—emerged as one of the most dominant short-yardage plays in recent NFL history. The play involves the quarterback being pushed forward by teammates, most notably the center and guards, sometimes with an extra shove from the backfield. In the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and anchored by center Jason Kelce, the play became nearly automatic.
While some fans and analysts praised the play’s brutal efficiency, others criticized it for being more of a rugby scrum than an NFL play, arguing it created safety concerns and skewed competitive balance. Several NFL teams reportedly attempted to imitate the strategy with less success, leading to renewed debates about fairness and execution.
Owners Meeting Drama: A Vote That Never Happened
As Travis Kelce recounted in the episode, many people expected the Owners Meeting to include a vote on whether to ban or limit the Tush Push in some way. Media buzz around the meeting suggested the NFL’s Competition Committee had serious concerns, and several teams reportedly pushed for change.
But the vote never came. The rule change wasn’t even put to a formal vote—a quiet victory for the play’s proponents.
“Jason, I’m telling you,” Travis joked on the podcast, “YOU saved the Tush Push.”
The Accidental Hero: Jason’s Speech Behind Closed Doors
Jason Kelce laughed at the notion, but admitted he did speak to several key people behind the scenes. Though he wasn’t officially involved in the league’s decision-making process, Jason had attended events leading up to the meeting and shared his perspective with NFL coaches, owners, and executives. His message? The Tush Push isn’t a cheat code—it’s a product of execution, teamwork, and offensive line dominance.
“I didn’t go in there to lobby for the play,” Jason explained. “But people asked me about it. I just tried to be honest. I told them—look, it’s not automatic. It takes timing, strength, and reps. A lot of teams have tried it and failed because it’s not easy.”
According to Jason, the play’s reputation as “unstoppable” was only because the Eagles made it look that way. In reality, he argued, it was just smart football.
“I think the more they looked at the data, and the more they realized only a few teams were doing it well, they started to see it as a strategic advantage—not a problem,” he said.
Travis: “You Made It Cool Again”
Travis Kelce, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Kansas City Chiefs, credited his brother not only for executing the play to perfection but also for defending it publicly and privately in a way that resonated with the league’s powerbrokers.
“You made it cool again,” Travis said. “Like, no one wanted to talk about quarterback sneaks before the Eagles made it a weapon. Now everyone’s drawing up their own version.”
Jason humbly downplayed the praise, insisting that football is constantly evolving and that defenses will eventually adapt. Still, he acknowledged the cultural impact the play has had—and his own role in that story.
“I guess if me just talking to people helped them see the play differently, I’ll take that,” Jason admitted. “But at the end of the day, I think they realized it’s not the play—it’s the people running it.”
The Competition Committee’s Concerns
In March 2025, the NFL Competition Committee reviewed the Tush Push as part of its ongoing evaluation of player safety and competitive integrity. According to reports, several owners and coaches raised concerns about potential neck and head injuries caused by the low-angle collisions the play invites.
However, statistical data provided by the league showed no significant increase in injury rates from the Tush Push compared to other short-yardage plays. Moreover, the league acknowledged that banning the play could lead to ambiguity in enforcement and open the door for even more subjective officiating.
The Committee ultimately recommended no change to the rule, effectively preserving the play for the 2025 season.
Fan Reaction: Philly Rejoices, Rivals Groan
News that the play had been preserved was met with predictable reactions: Eagles fans and players celebrated, while rival teams groaned.
Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni, who has championed the play, remarked, “We’re going to keep doing what works until they tell us we can’t. It’s not a loophole—it’s execution.”
Some rival coaches, including those from NFC East opponents, expressed frustration. One unnamed coach reportedly told The Athletic, “We’ll just have to find a way to beat it the old-fashioned way—by getting lower and hitting harder.”
A Play Here to Stay?
As of now, the Tush Push remains legal, and with Jason Kelce returning for at least one more season, fans can expect to see more of it in the Eagles’ 2025 playbook.
Travis and Jason’s discussion on New Heights was a rare look into how conversations off the field can subtly shape the game itself. In Jason’s case, it wasn’t a dramatic speech or a political campaign that saved the play—it was experience, honesty, and a legacy of elite performance.
“I didn’t save it,” Jason said near the end of the episode. “I think the play saved itself.”
Travis chuckled. “Nah man, you’re the face of the Tush Push. Just admit it.”
Whether he admits it or not, Jason Kelce’s name is now permanently linked to one of the most talked-about plays in modern NFL history. And for at least another season, defenders will still have to face it—head-on.
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