The NFL uses contradictory logic that feels right to them because their logic is ruled by emotions that don't give a damn about what does and doesn't make mental-spiritual sense based on the facts, but does makes sense under multiple competing purposes.
Some of the imbalanced reasons Tush Push haters use:1. It is an unfair advantage. They ignore the fact that all teams have the right and option to use it.
2. Watchability. I'll accept this definition and the notion that this is important to the NFL. This qualifies the unaided QB sneak as being unwatchable. There are multiple other watchability issues in the NFL. One of those is the kneel down at the end of games. Get rid of it and just say the game is over. The fair catch on punts is boring as hell. Another is the dumbed down kickoff return and onside kick which is as exciting as the jump ball in basketball.
3. Injury risk. Let's just go to flag football if we're primarily worried about health and safety. Let's require all teams to have natural grass instead of artificial turf. Let's get rid of jumping over people and runners jumping over piles.4. Unfair because the defense can't push or shove each other to combat the tush push. There are lots of stupid rules and unfair rules in professional and college sports, especially football. As explained elsewhere, the rules for the same infractions are different for offense and defense. If you've going to ban the tush push for this reason or allow defensive pushing for this reason, then clean up all unfair rules.
The Biggest Ignored Contradiction Of Logic
On all other plays, pushing of the ball carrier, and pushing the pile, is allowed by offense and defense.Or is it?
Article 4: Assisting The Runner And Interlocking InterferenceIn a healthy worldview, if you ban something for one part of the game, it should be banned for all parts. If a ball carrier is able to push a defender, Should another defender be able to help, Should another offensive player be able to help?
No offensive player may:
pull a runner in any direction at any time;
use interlocking interference, by grasping a teammate or by using his hands or arms to encircle the body of a teammate in an effort to block an opponent; or
push or throw his body against a teammate to aid him in an attempt to obstruct an opponent or to recover a loose ball.
Gang tackling is allowed. So should gang running.
What about double team blocks? Two people pushing against one. Is that fair? Is it safe?
Is it safe and fair for huge people to hit small people and fall on top of them?
Pass interference and holding penalties need some serious reworking and reteaching how to call. Just as there is already no PI on uncatchable balls, there should be no PI on under-thrown balls.
Unfair rules on use of hands by offense and defense.Might as well outlaw hands to the helmet, otherwise called a stiff arm.
Leaping to block kicks is a penalty but leaping to block a pass is not.
Those who are complaining about false starts on the tush push should be prepared to be penalized for lining up in the neutral zone.
The rules against hitting the QB are ridiculous. He is a football player isn't he? Roughing the passer rules should be revised. But hey, everybody has to play by the same rules so get off your tush and use the tush push, otherwise get used to getting the ball shoved down your throats.
You are a crybaby hater trying to sound well-reasoned and fair-minded because you grew up in a house with NIL and transfer portal crybabies.For a second, I feel your pain, so let's just put a lifetime ban on any rule that allows a team to use the rule to their advantage. For instance let's outlaw the unfair congregating of talent on one team. No NFL dream teams. It's unfair, dangerous and who wants to watch non-competitive games? Outlaw salary caps and roster limits. What purpose do they serve and who do those two rules help?
Clearly the NFL rules are made by people with fragmented minds who are proud of a hodgepodge of rules that separately serve different purposes, but nothing cohesive or that makes good sense. My son's fifth grade book reports made better sense. Having more money and more money power is no guarantee of having more sanity. Since sports and life are fundamentally about angels and demons, and when the demons make the rules, well, what should we expect?