The so-called “Brotherly Shove” play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles in recent years has an interesting connection to the Alabama Crimson Tide and legendary head coach Nick Saban.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Controversial QB Sneak Play Linked to Former Alabama OL Coach
Amid push-back on the legality of the Eagles’ signature play, the origins of the “Brotherly Shove” have finally come to the surface.
The “Brotherly Shove” or “Tush Push” is essentially a quarterback sneak—on steroids. It’s unique because the Eagles can run it.
It began with since-retired center Jason Kelce snapping the ball to quarterback Jalen Hurts, who went viral during his days with the Oklahoma Sooners for being able to squat 600 pounds.
That’s not it, though; behind Hurts are two players assisting the push. In 2024, one of those players was running back Saquon Barkley — who is also on video squatting 600 pounds.
It resembles more of a rugby scrum than anything, but it has worked to an over 90% success rate over the past three seasons.
The first touchdown of the Super Bowl LIX between the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs was, in fact, a “Brotherly Shove” touchdown for Hurts.
Now, the origins of the play have been revealed by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
Nick Sirianni says the origin of the Tush Push started with Jeff Stoutland in 2017 with Frank Reich and Carson Wentz and then with Frank in Indianapolis and how well Jacoby Brissett ran the QB sneak
“The success we have is not always replicated throughout the league. I’m… pic.twitter.com/1ozJp8XLQq
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 6, 2025
Sirianni explained how the play started with Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland and former quarterback Carson Wentz. The head coach at the time was Frank Reich. Reich then went on to coach the Indianapolis Colts, who had backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who weighed over 230 pounds and ran the QB sneak noticeably well.
Thus, the idea of the “Brotherly Shove” was born.
Before his hiring with the Eagles in 2013, Stoutland was the O-line coach with the Alabama Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban. During his two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Stoutland gleaned enough information from Saban to become one of the best assistant coaches in the NFL — along with two consecutive national championships.
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The Green Bay Packers were revealed as the team that wants to ban the play from happening, but Sirianni had a response ready.
“The success we have is not always replicated throughout the league,” he said. “I’m lobbying to never change that rule.”
As long as the “Brotherly Shove” is legal, it will be a staple of the Eagles’ game plan, wreaking havoc for opposing defenses.
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