Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts as Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) leaps over linemen before a snap during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles' Tush Push (or "Brotherly Shove," if you prefer) tends to drive NFL defenses a bit crazy. While the play isn't completely unstoppable, there's very little that a team can do to defend it.
PUSH THAT TUSH
pic.twitter.com/fe3txjbbXl
— Shibe Vintage Sports (@ShibeSports) November 26, 2023
But in Sunday's NFC Championship Game between the Eagles and Commanders, that sure didn't stop Washington's Frankie Luvu from trying... and trying... and trying.
Frankie Luvu did it again lol pic.twitter.com/GhcUwoSznu
An offsides penalty this close to the endzone moves the ball half the distance to the goal line. But what are refs supposed to do once the ball can't be moved any closer? Without the threat of a real penalty, we would probably still be watching Luvu desparately try to time a leap over the line.
Luckily, the zebras were prepared for this situation. First they warned Washington that another Luvu leap would trigger an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Then, after Luvu did it again, we heard something unprecedented in an NFL game: "Washington has been advised that, at some point, the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again."
Nobody:
Frankie Luvu trying to stop the tush push: pic.twitter.com/BHuqWomA6t
"Can they really do that?" wondered millions of viewers simultaneously.
Turns out they can.
NFL analyst Kyle Brandt, of Good Morning Football, tracked down official NFL rule 12, section 3, article 4, which states that the referee may award a score for a "palpably unfair act."
Screenshot from 2024 Official Playing Rules of the National Football LeagueDetermining whether any given action qualifies as a "palpably unfair act" is left to the discretion of officials. But Luvu's relentless jumping certainly has to qualify under any reasonable interpretation.
FRANKIE LUVU AT THE GOAL LINE pic.twitter.com/IBNKyOmmXj
Refs have never utilized the rule to award a score in an NFL game. But Brandt tracked down a college game where a similar rule was enforced. Check out this video from the 1954 Cotton Bowl (beginning at 2:19):
“Washington has been advised, that at some point the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again.”
It’s true. I have the details on the rule, and the hilarious history of it being called. pic.twitter.com/0FAkKSyNdY
We thought Luvu was bad? Tommy Lewis came off the sidelines like an absolute maniac!
Let's hope this is the last we ever hear about palpably unfair acts. But rest assured that the rule is out there if needed.
