Travis Kelce discusses NFL’s failed tush push ban while revealing how his brother Jason played a key role in preventing the league from outlawing Philadelphia’s celebrated quarterback sneak. The drama unfolded during the NFL owners‘ meeting held in Minneapolis on May 21, where the proposal to ban the play fell short by two votes.

How Jason Kelce Influenced the NFL Owners’ Decision

Jason Kelce attended the owners‘ meeting in Minneapolis to advocate for keeping the “tush push” on the field. The Green Bay Packers had introduced the proposal to ban the play, but it ultimately did not secure the 24 votes required. Jason’s presence and testimony were especially important given his experience as the Eagles’ center and firsthand knowledge of executing the play.

The discussion between Travis and Jason, co-hosts of the New Heights podcast, highlighted Jason’s diplomatic approach to persuading powerful NFL executives while maintaining respect. Travis humorously questioned whether his brother resorted to dramatic tactics during the meeting.

“Last week, the NFL owners voted, and the vote to ban the ‘tush push’ failed,” Travis said (02:03). “Jason, did you stand outside the courthouse with a sign that said ‘Tush my push,’ like I asked? Tush my push? What did you do? Did you threaten them? Did you threaten them with, like, something you would do if they banned the ‘tush push?'” —Travis Kelce, NFL player and podcast co-host

Jason Kelce Shares His Respectful Strategy in the Owners’ Meeting

Jason emphasized that his goal was to calmly provide insight without antagonizing the league’s influential figures. He was invited by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to speak as someone intimately involved with the play, which had become a Philadelphia hallmark.

“No, I did not want to piss off any one of these individuals of immense power,” Kelce said on Wednesday, via ‘New Heights.’ “I was just there to offer my frame of reference on the tush — the pushing of.”

During his remarks, Jason addressed rumors tying the play to his retirement or injury issues. He argued the “tush push” was one of the safest maneuvers in football, countering narratives that painted it as risky. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie backed this stance, praising the play and spending nearly an hour at the meeting defending its legality and safety. The New York Times quoted Lurie referring to it as

“the safest play in the history of the game,”

emphasizing the dangers of alternative tactics that might expose quarterbacks to greater harm.

Inside the Intense Atmosphere of the NFL Owners’ Meeting

Jason recounted the surreal experience of witnessing such a high-stakes political process within the NFL. He described the environment as “awesome,” marveling at being surrounded by

“hundreds of billions of dollars of wealth”

while discussing what is essentially a football play’s future.

Despite some social media claims that Jason’s defense of the “tush push” caused emotional reactions, he denied ever crossing lines or creating conflict. His focus remained on professionalism and clear communication in a tense setting charged with strong opinions.

What the Vote’s Outcome Means for Philadelphia and the NFL

The failed attempt to ban the “tush push” stands as a major win for Philadelphia, which perfected the tactic over recent seasons, particularly during Jason Kelce’s later years with the team. The Eagles’ social media accounts were quick to celebrate the vote’s result, reinforcing the play’s continued importance to the team’s offensive identity.

Looking ahead, this decision likely preserves the status quo for playoff strategies and quarterback sneaks league-wide, while underscoring the influence players and team owners can exert behind closed doors. The close vote also illustrates ongoing debates in the NFL about player safety and game integrity, themes sure to resurface in future meetings.