Leaping over the line of scrimmage to block a kick. Standing in the end zone to swat away a field goal. Openly slapping an opponent in the head.
Once upon a time, you could see N.F.L. players do all those things. And they were legal. But over time, all of them have been banned.
And perhaps soon to join them is the “Tush Push” or “Brotherly Shove,” the move perfected by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
In that play, which is executed when the team needs only a yard or less, the Eagles’ offensive linemen mass closely together, snap the ball and push forward. The quarterback, Jalen Hurts, keeps the ball and lunges forward while other big players push him from behind.
The play has been remarkably successful for the Eagles over the last few seasons, nearly always gaining the yard or so needed.
Now a complaint has been filed with the league asking it to ban the play. Although the complaining team was not revealed, several news media sources have identified it as the Green Bay Packers.