It’s a copycat move to write that the NFL is a copycat league.
And the Pittsburgh Steelers, like so many teams in the league, are copycatting the Philadelphia Eagles’ famous “Tush Push.” Of course, that is the play the Eagles used on their way to a Super Bowl championship last season when quarterback Jalen Hurts would be pushed forward out of a tight formation in short-yardage situations.
The Steelers have been using a similar play this season that involves a tight end and is called “Spartan.” The ball is directly snapped to Connor Heyward, and the 6-foot, 230-pounder then barrels forward. The play takes its name from Michigan State, Heyward’s alma mater.
In Monday night’s 28-15 victory over the Miami Dolphins, the team converted two fourth-and-1 plays and also scored on a 1-yard plunge. Heyward appreciates Steelers coach Mike Tomlin having faith in the play.
"It just shows who Coach T is and what December football is about," Heyward said. “You're fighting for more possessions, fighting for more opportunities so our offense can go make more plays. Whenever Coach leaves the offense out there, it fires us up. And it just proves to Coach T that we're capable of getting it and giving him that trust that when he puts us out there, we're going to get it.”
Heyward’s season rushing statistics are negligible as he has 15 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. However, those yards have been pivotal and tough, something Heyward takes pride in as he takes the snap from center Zach Frazier while quarterback Aaron Rodgers stands in the backfield and watches.
"I think just us repping it more in practice, also in walk-through," Heyward said. “Me and Zach getting together before the games, and also throughout the week leading up to the game. But also, just being in those manageable third downs and fourth downs. So, credit to everybody. Everybody up front. And obviously when we get it, it's them up front, really everybody.
"Aaron's back there chilling, but I mean, everybody's out there clawing for that inch to gain. Getting the first down, fourth and one, third and two, third and inches, whatever it is, I take a lot of pride in it. I feel like if we don't get it, I'm letting them down. And if we get it, it's everybody getting the job done. It's something that I don't take lightly and something that I know extends the drives."
Some fans call it the “Steel City Shove,” and others refer to it as the “Pittsburgh Plunge.” Steelers offensive coordinator and history buff Arthur Smith originally wanted to call it “Caveman” before settling on “Spartan.”
"When football started in the Ivy leagues in the late 1800s, I'm sure when they had 15 guys, it was like a rugby scrum,” Smith said.
Smith also thinks Heyward is the right player to execute the play.
"Connor carried the ball in college," Smith said. "We tried a few guys out, and I just had a lot of faith, and so suddenly we started working, talked about it in the offseason, and just worked it at different times.
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward jokingly says he would like to get into the Spartan action with his younger brother.
"Put me back there, too," he said. "We can all make this happen."