Tush Push Ban Debate Reportedly Led to 'Heated Exchange' Between NFL Owners, Execs

Things reportedly got heated during Wednesday's NFL meetings as league owners and executives discussed the proposal to ban the tush push play that the Philadelphia Eagles have largely perfected.

According to ESPN's Seth Wickersham, the debate over the play "led to a heated exchange between NFL owners and league executives" during a "general session" period when they were in attendance.

The update came after Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the play did not receive the 75 percent of the vote that was necessary to pass. In all, 22 teams voted for the proposal, meaning it fell two votes short of the 24 it needed.

As Wickersham detailed, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie gave "an impassioned speech in defense of the play" that lasted approximately an hour.

During that speech, he criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent for being in favor of the ban, pointed out NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills talked to him at length about the play, and said those who voted against it put quarterbacks at more risk.

"He pulled out all the stops," a source told Wickersham. "He knew he needed to throw a Hail Mary."

The report noted that Vincent then criticized Lurie for a crude comment he made, while Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula pushed for banning the tush push even though his team has successfully run it. What's more, San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York asked Lurie "how much more s--t" he needed to say in a "tense" room.

Lurie wasn't the only one to publicly speak in support of the play, as Eagles assistant general manager John Ferrari and former Philadelphia center Jason Kelce did as well.

Ultimately, the Eagles got what they wanted with the ban proposal failing to pass.

They then ran something of a victory lap in celebration online:

An initial vote to ban the tush push was tabled on April 1 after votes were split, and Wednesday's vote was on a proposal that featured different language.

ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported Monday that Green Bay revised its proposal with language that said, "offensive players cannot assist the runner except by individually blocking opponents for him."

The NFC North team also removed "immediately at the snap" in the changed language.

Alas, it was not enough to pass, falling just two votes short of the Packers' desired outcome.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans were the 10 teams that voted against the proposed ban.