Trump wants NFL to keep the tush-push — but hates the new kick-off rule

President Donald Trump made a key endorsement on Monday at the White House, though it had nothing to do with a piece of legislation or a political campaign. 

Rather, the president put his stamp of approval behind the tush push play made famous by the Eagles. 

The play has garnered some criticism recently and a push to ban it had been underway at the league meetings earlier this year, before the topic was tabled. 

“I hope they keep that play, Coach,” Trump said with the Eagles on hand visiting the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl title in February. “They’re talking about getting rid of that play, I understand. They should keep it. … I like it. It’s sort of exciting and different.”

President Donald Trump welcomes the Philadelphia Eagles to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. Andrew Leyden/ZUMA / SplashNews.com

The tush push is a play where the quarterback is seemingly shoved forward by his teammates lined up behind him on a short-yardage sneak. 

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni thanked Trump for his support moments later.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for having us here. And we also appreciate the endorsement for the tush push,” Sirianni said

The fairness of it has come into question and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seemed to hint at where his thoughts were on the play in a recent interview with Pat McAfee. 

Jalen Hurts, center, and teammates run the tush push play during the NFL championship playoff football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. AP

“A lot of coaches would tell you that’s not part of football, right. It may be rugby but it’s not us,” Goodell said. “The second thing is really the safety of the game. And that’s of primary importance to us. Is it a play that’s unsafe when you’re in those positions where you’re getting pushed or pulled and you can’t control where you’re going. Those are the two factors. On the other side, there’s a legitimate argument that everyone can do it, and you know, if somebody does it better than the others, that’s the way the game is played.”

Trump also took Sunday’s visit from the Eagles to criticize another rule, which was the dynamic kickoff. 

“I’d like to go back to the regular kickoff, however,” he said. “We don’t like that kickoff where nobody’s moving the balls in the air, nobody’s moving, but I won’t ask the Coach or Lane [Johnson] or any of the people about that, but as a fan, I don’t know, I’m not sure.”