Tag: ban

Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles execute a tush push for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NFL not expecting attempt to ban ‘tush push’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After heated debate over the “tush push” in 2025, NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said Sunday that he does not expect an attempt to ban the controversial short-yardage play.

“There’s no team proposal that I’ve seen from it,” McKay said following a day of meetings at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “So, I wouldn’t envision it. But you never know.”

A proposal to ban the tush push fell short of the required 24 votes at the NFL owners meetings in May 2025, with ESPN reporting the final vote was 22-10.

Critics have cited several issues with the rugby-style play, from aesthetics to competitive reasons.

Also nicknamed the “Brotherly Shove” when deployed by Philadelphia, the play typically features Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts taking the snap in short-yardage situations and driving his legs forward while being pushed from behind.

Green Bay was the team that drafted the proposal, reportedly at the suggestion of the NFL, citing player safety concerns. The league has not publicized health data supporting that assertion.

The Packers’ initial proposal in February 2025 was to ban offensive players immediately pushing a teammate who is lined up directly behind the snapper and taking the snap, ESPN reported. The owners meeting in March 2025 tabled the discussion.

Green Bay amended the proposal to prohibit players from pushing all ball carriers, no matter their location on the field, which was a league rule until 2005, per ESPN’s report. The revision did not pass by two votes at the May meeting.

There were additional concerns raised in the 2025 season, with officials reportedly having been instructed to place more emphasis on ensuring the offensive line doesn’t move until the ball is snapped.

According to ESPN, the Eagles ran the play 27 times and the Buffalo Bills 17 to lead the league among 112 total in 2025 — compared to 101 total in 2024. Teams were successful on converting first downs on 82% of the plays from 2022-24 and 76.8% last season, per ESPN.

McKay also said Sunday that there have been discussions about how teams are seeded in the playoffs but he hasn’t seen a proposal. He also said that the competition committee has talked about the catch rule, which was in focus last season, especially in the playoffs, for how the rule was applied.

“Our technology today is extraordinary, so the ability to go frame by frame and slow things down, it’s a great solution for a lot of things,” McKay said, “but it does present challenges for others. We need to make sure your rules, as written, don’t just match up (with) what’s on the field but how it’s looked at in replay.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

49ers’ George Kittle ‘distraught’ over ban of smelling salts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is making a stink about the NFL’s recent ban on smelling salts.

Kittle interrupted an NFL Network interview at training camp on Tuesday to “air a grievance” about the policy.

“Our team had a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day,” said Kittle, who added that he uses the substances on “every drive.”

Starting this season, teams are prohibited from “providing or supplying ammonia in any form” on game days either on the field or in the locker room, according to the league memo.

“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy,” the memo says, per ESPN. “The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurological signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.”

Kittle, 31, is far from the only NFL player who regularly uses smelling salts. That includes athletes in other sports, including ice hockey.

The six-time Pro Bowler said he has always used them for a boost of energy, joking that the change made him consider hanging up his cleats.

“I considered retirement,” Kittle said. “We have got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out. Somebody come up with a good idea. That’s all I had to get out there. Get that off my chest.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

UNC refutes report it banned Bill Belichick’s girlfriend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The University of North Carolina athletic department refuted a report that coach Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson was banned from the Tar Heels’ football facilities.

“While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities,” Friday’s school statement read, per On3.com. “Jordon will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University.”

Former ESPN host Pablo Torre claimed Friday on his show “Pablo Torre Finds Out” that the 24-year-old Hudson was no longer welcome around the team in Chapel Hill, N.C.

“There is deep worry for how detrimental Jordon can be for not just North Carolina but Bill’s legacy, reputation — everything he has built and worked for over decades,” a Belichick family source told Torre.

“She’s not allowed on the football field,” Torre said. “Quote, ‘Don’t think you’ll be hearing much from Jordon moving forward.”

Belichick, 73, the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach of the New England Patriots, was hired in December and reportedly will earn $10 million annually at North Carolina. The Tar Heels open the season at home against TCU on Sept. 1.

–Field Level Media

Trash litters the sidelines during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Tennessee fans threw debris onto the field in objection to a ruling on a play in the end of the fourth quarter. Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football

Tennessee bans 25 fans after Ole Miss object-throwing incident

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The University of Tennessee is banning 25 fans, including 16 students, from attending any athletic events the rest of the academic and athletic year for throwing things onto the field at Neyland Stadium near the conclusion of an Oct. 16 football game against Ole Miss.

The school also said it was taking steps to prevent future events such as the nearly 20-minute stoppage in play while officials worked to regain control of the stadium in Knoxville.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White, in a letter to Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey, said the changes at the venue include increased police and security staff in the student section; a requirement that students agree to the SEC and university fan codes of conduct to receive tickets; adding “enhanced” metal detectors; and making more announcements warning against misconduct.

Additionally, there will be no student guest tickets distributed for the Nov. 13 game against current No. 1 Georgia.

The SEC fined Tennessee $250,000 for the conduct of the fans who littered the field with objects. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, previously the Volunteers’ coach, was struck in the arm by a golf ball.

Ole Miss won 31-26.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Dee Wiggins (center) celebrates with offensive lineman John Campbell Jr. (left) and running back Robert Burns (right) after scoring a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Hurricanes to play at least two games with students in stands

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami (Fla.) will play its first two home games without any students on hand at Hard Rock Stadium.

In addition, university president Julio Frenk said in a letter to the campus community on Friday that no alcohol will be sold this season at the stadium.

The prohibition on students at the stadium was spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, Frenk said. Students will miss games against UAB (Sept. 10) and in-state rival Florida State (Sept. 26).

“Given that we are barely two weeks into the semester and the number of COVID-19 cases among students has registered recent increases, students will not be permitted to attend the first two home games at Hard Rock Stadium,” he wrote. “As disappointing as this is to all of us, especially the students, this is the prudent course of action at this time, as we continue to prioritize health and safety on campus above all else.”

As of Friday morning, Florida trailed only California for the most cases of COVID-19 in the United States with 615,806. That included 3,815 new cases confirmed by the Florida Department of Health.

Frenk said the university would continue to evaluate the no-student decision as the season progresses.

As for the ban on alcohol sales, Frenk said that also is being enacted to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“As organizations across South Florida and around the world fight COVID-19, the importance of relying on the experts has become clear,” he wrote. “Our community has come too far to ignore the evidence. Alcohol impairs the ability to make rational decisions and has been shown to dampen immunity. We all look forward to the day when we can engage socially at games as we always have, but that day has not yet arrived.”

–Field Level Media