Alabama football’s Nick Saban shares opinion on ‘tush push’ plays

Alabama football’s Nick Saban shares opinion on ‘tush push’ plays

A play popularized by the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles has recently generated controversy across the world of football. The “tush push” or “brotherly shove,” where offensive linemen get behind a quarterback, often former Alabama football signal-caller Jalen Hurts, and attempt to push him forward in short yardage situations, has been causing arguments lately.

The move is controversial both for player safety and competition reasons. It’s banned at the high school level.

On Wednesday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked whether he thought there was a place for it at the college level.

“We’ve tried to make a lot of rules in the last few years that are intended to enhance player safety,” Saban said. “And I don’t think that’s necessarily a play when people are running into the pile and aggressively pushing the pile forward, that is enhancing player safety.”

Saban went on to note he didn’t feel the play put any one team at a disadvantage.

“From a competitive standpoint, everybody can do it, so it really doesn’t matter,” Saban said. “It’s not a competitive advantage or disadvantage one way or the other. But I do think there may be a conversation about how it can impact player safety in terms of doing that kind of aggressive pushing (of) the pile.”

Saban’s Alabama team is set to face Arkansas this week. The Crimson Tide currently sits at 5-1 on the season, 3-0 in SEC play.

The Tide and Razorbacks are scheduled to face off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPN.

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