Tom Brady Calls Out Eagles For ‘Stealing’ During Super Bowl Rematch
We probably all knew, at some point, the Tush Push was going to become a talking point. It is, after all, football season.
This year, it lasted all the way until Week 2.
Fox Sports color commentator and 7-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady called out the Philadelphia Eagles for their famous short yardage play in a 20-17 win by the Eagles over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s like (the Eagles) start every position at 1st and 9 because they’re stealing a yard with that play every time,” Brady said on September 14.
The Eagles used the Tush Push 5 times in the fourth quarter, including on a controversial 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Hurts to give the Eagles a 20-10 lead with 7:48 left in the game.
On that play, all 3 of the Eagles’ interior offensive linemen appeared to be offsides before the ball was snapped.
Swift Public Backlash To Controversial Play
Brady wasn’t the only one who seemed to be calling out the Eagles over their rugby style play, which has proven to be pretty much unstoppable.
“I like the Tush Push,” Underdog’s Hayden Winks wrote on his official X account. “Always have. But if we are being honest about it this year, the Eagles are lining up offsides and jumping the snap early.”
“The Eagles commit about 5 penalties during a Tush Push, and the NFL just doesn’t call them,” Washington Commanders superfan Chris Bryant wrote on his official X account. “Center is offsides, guards false start. Ban the play.”
“Eagles fans, this ain’t a shot at you,” Missouri KOLR TV’s Jesse Inman wrote on X. “They’re smart for running a play the referees allow them to break TWO rules on. Got 2-3 players lined up offsides every time (center, guards). PLUS, the refs completely disregard the false start.”
“Tush Push is bad for the game,” NFL reporter Kevin Sheehan wrote on X. “Not because it works for 1 team more than any other but because the play isn’t officiated properly. False starts/offsides for most part ignored. The play slows the pace of game too. This will be the last yr. They’ll get votes to abolish next time.”
Tush Push’s Days Might Be Numbered
The NFL delivered a stunning decision on May 21 with owners voting to keep the “Tush Push” play that has proven to be almost unstoppable for the Eagles in short yardage situations. The vote was helped by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and legendary Eagles center Jason Kelce making impassioned please to keep it in place.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the vote fell 2 shorts vote of the “Tush Push” being banned.
“Final vote on the proposed ban of the Tush Push, per sources: 22-10,” Schefter wrote on his official X account. “At least 24 votes were needed to ban The Tush Push.”
In its current version the play — also known as “The Brotherly Shove” — Hurts lines up under center with 2 teammates behind him in a short-yardage situation. Hurts takes the ball and his teammates come from behind and shove him toward the yardage he needs.
It’s produced 27 touchdowns for the Eagles over the last 3 seasons.
Browns K Andre Szmyt Sends Heartfelt Message to Dustin Hopkins After Winning Competition
Andre Szmyt proved once again that kickers have the friendliest position battles in NFL training camps.
Szmyt, who won the Cleveland Browns kicker role, opened up about his relationship with Dustin Hopkins after Hopkins was released at cutdown day.
Szmyt, a 26-year-old NFL undrafted rookie from Syracuse that played professionally for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL, won the role over Hopkins. Hopkins, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, had been Cleveland’s kicker since 2023.
What Did Andre Szmyt Say About Dustin Hopkins?
Though he was the incumbent, Hopkins’ chances of making the Browns had dropped substantially after his woeful 2024 season.
The now-34-year-old made just 18 of 27 field goals (66.7 percent) and had the lowest single-season extra-point percentage of his career (85.0) as well.
Hopkins made all three field goals he attempted in the preseason but missed two extra points, including one in the preseason finale Saturday.
On the contrary, Szmyt sent the Cleveland coaching staff a better final impression, likely winning the role with his game-winning 37-yard field goal in its 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams in each team’s preseason finale.
“I’ve had game-winners before, not in the NFL, but they’re always exciting,” Szmyt said. “You feel the same kind of adrenaline, but you also are super-locked in; game-winners are a special kind of beast. It was exciting to get it done.”
Still, Szmyt shared his appreciation for Hopkins’ support throughout the competition and told reporters he met with Hopkins and offered well wishes after the decision was finalized.
“He meant a lot to me,” Szmyt said. “He’s one of the best guys, like, I’ve ever met.
“We briefly caught each other in the locker room, and we said some nice words to each other.”
It’s possible Hopkins could catch on with another team, since injuries and inconsistency can lead to temporary jobs. After spending his first six seasons in Washington, Hopkins bounced to the Los Angeles Chargers before landing in Cleveland.
Szmyt said he’d be pulling for his now-former teammate wherever he ends up.
“I’m always going to be rooting for him, and I know he’ll be doing the same for me,” Szmyt said. “I have nothing but love for him and respect.”
What Did Andre Szmyt Say About Making The Browns?
Szmyt admitted he was anxious to hear the news. But with the kicking competition over it’s now about showing the NFL what he can do.
“I’ve been working on my craft for a while now,” Szmyt said. “It’s exciting, but I’m kind of already focused on Week 1 and preparing and staying on my course.”
Now, Szmyt is on a special-teams group with Browns punter Corey Bojorquez and long snapper Rex Sunahara, who he called “a tight-knit group” and “the best guys ever.”
But Szmyt also is relishing the opportunity to finally kick in the NFL.
“I think there’s a lot of emotion that goes into (kicking),” Szmyt said. “There’s so much uncertainty in the NFL. I’m just super grateful to be here and I’ll take advantage of every opportunity I get and put my best foot forward.”
