Jason Kelce has no issue with his former team's signature fourth-down play call despite its bad rap.
The six-time First-team All-Pro center is speaking out in the midst of some fans demanding for a ban on the Philadelphia Eagles' famous yet controversial tush-push.
“Personally, I think this play adds a ton to the game of football. I would much rather watch this than a punt,” said Kelce.
“Punting the ball and giving it to your opponent is way softer than fighting over a yard and pushing against each other. I guess you like soft football.”
Nick Sirianni's group has been massively successful on fourth and short converting 96.6% of those plays since 2022, as per ESPN. The short-yardage play has initiated plenty of controversy among fans online and has been impossible to stop. Jason Kelce was a big reason why as his strength and power often led Jalen Hurts to pick up the necessary yardage for a first down.
Fans are not the only ones who want to see the Eagles quarterback sneak play banned in the NFL, as two-thirds of teams in the league have voted to remove it as well. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is one of those who thinks that play should be outlawed.
“There’s just no other play in our game where you can absolutely get behind somebody and push them,” said Morris.
“I never really understood why that was legal. So, I’ve definitely been one of those guys voting against that.”
Morris had an opportunity to use it on a short fourth-down gamble in Week 1, but chose instead to call a handoff play to Bijan Robinson. He wound up being stopped for no gain, allowing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take over and score on their ensuing possession, which led to a 23-20 win.
Following the Eagles' the Buffalo Bills are the next most successful team to use that play converting that fourth down play 51 out of 57 times for a rate of 89.5%.