The Philadelphia Eagles’ left tackle, Jordan Mailata, expressed his frustration regarding the ongoing debate over the “tush push” play following the team’s narrow victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles actually won that game 20-17. The ensuing debate about whether the play was even legal stole much of the team’s victory’s thunder. The situation grew contentious after a lost ballot measure. This proposal would have banned the controversial tactic at the NFL’s annual meeting held in Eagan, Minnesota, last May.
All eyes were on the proposal from the Green Bay Packers, which required 24 votes to pass. It missed the mark with a disappointing 22-10 vote out of committee. The result ensured that the “tush push” will remain an entirely legal play in the league for at least one more season. While some teams breathed a sigh of relief at the flexibility it provided, critics like ESPN’s Mike Greenberg and Dan Graziano lambasted it as an “abomination.”
On Sunday, that moment came mid-game. Check out what happened when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to thread the needle on a goal line pass. The fumble bounced off tight end Travis Kelce’s hands, before safety Andrew Mukuba scooped it up and returned it for 41 yards. It was a huge defensive play and turning point in the game that highlighted the Eagles’ defense strength.
In an interview with 94 WIP in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Mailata addressed the criticism directed at the Eagles’ use of the “tush push” and its perceived impact on their performance. He stressed that any time you pin the loss of the game to one play, it makes the other 51 plays of his teammates meaningless.
“I understand the outrage [over the tush push]. What I don’t understand is them using it as an excuse to why we won the game. I think it’s incredibly disrespectful to our defense and our special teams who balled out.” – Jordan Mailata
Mailata continued to open up about why he was upset with all the backlash following the play. He beamed as he touted his team’s remarkable performance. He really railed against anybody who shortchanged the very productive work that they’d done.
“That pisses me off because we give so much to this game and to kind of base off a short-yardage play, that is a football play.” – Jordan Mailata
Mailata had little mercy on any continued questioning about the play’s legality.
“I just think it’s rubbish. Absolute rubbish, man. It makes my blood boil just thinking about it.” – Jordan Mailata
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