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The Philadelphia Eagles’ famous push was in the midst of another controversy during the team’s 38-20 win over the New York Giants on Sunday.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts had the ball knocked out of his hands by Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux as he extended for a first down. The Giants got the ball back and it looked like they had found a key takeaway, but the refs blew the play due to the forward progression.
The Eagles got a first down, much to the chagrin of Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was furious. Two plays after the fourth down conversion, the Eagles scored a touchdown to go up 14-7.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) appears to fumble the ball while performing the tush push play during the game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. The game took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 2025. (Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Eagles star center Jason Kelce said the referees missed the call.
“It’s a fumble, they missed it,” Kelce said during a recent episode of “New Heights.”
Travis Kelce said the referees either had to call his momentum stopped before the line won, and it should have been a turnover on downs, or a fumble. Instead, the referees gave the Eagles a first down.
Jason agreed with his brother and said Hurts’ momentum was not stopped. He said if the tush push is difficult to administer, then that’s a reason to ban it.
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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) collects what appears to be a fumble from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) while running the tush push play during the game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. The game took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 2025. (Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I know there’s been a lot of noise around false starts and now this game and I get it. If the tush push is really difficult to officiate, that would definitely be a reason to ban it,” Kelce said.
While acknowledging the difficulties the referees faced in officiating the game, he defended the game itself.
“Look, I know everyone wants to go for the push, again, I don’t see how that has anything to do with the push. Officials miss progress calls all the time,” Kelce said.
“I’m not trying to make excuses, I just don’t know how these little things have to do with pushing. Like, it’s always going to be a problem if the Eagles sneak at quarterback, that’s my only caveat.”
Jason Kelce waves to fans during the Super Bowl LIX championship parade and rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
“For example, if you allow offensive linemen to false start, they will do it whether there are people pushing you or not.”
The famous Eagles play was almost banned this offseason. At spring meetings in May, owners voted 22-10 in favor of banning the coin, but were two votes short of reaching the 24 required to abolish it.
The Eagles improved to 6-2 with their win over the Giants and have a bye week this week.
