Tua Tagovailoa Speaks on NFL Return Amid Concussion Debate \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, spoke about his frustration with being associated with concussions, addressing his recent health and return to football after his third NFL concussion. Tagovailoa, who has missed four games, emphasized that while he doesn’t want to be known for his injuries, he accepts the reality. Now cleared by medical experts, he plans to return to play if he clears the final concussion protocol. Despite external opinions about his safety, Tagovailoa remains committed to the game.
Tua Tagovailoa Discusses Concussion Recovery and Return: Quick Looks
- Concussion Concerns: Tagovailoa, after being diagnosed with his third NFL concussion, acknowledges the difficulty of being linked to head injuries but insists on continuing his career.
- Return to the Field: Cleared by medical experts, Tagovailoa hopes to start Sunday, pending final clearance from concussion protocol after missing four games.
- Debating Safety: While some, including Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, suggest he should retire for his long-term health, Tagovailoa remains focused on playing smart and protecting himself.
- Understanding the Risks: Tagovailoa reflected on the risks inherent in football, stating that all players take similar risks every time they play.
Deep Look:
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has found himself at the center of a heated conversation about concussions and player safety in the NFL. On Monday, for the first time since being diagnosed with his third concussion, Tagovailoa faced reporters and shared his frustrations about being sidelined for four games and the spotlight on his head injuries. Despite his frustration, he acknowledged that dealing with the aftermath of concussions is a reality he can’t escape.
“Do I want to be known for this? No, I don’t,” Tagovailoa said. “But that’s the cards I’ve been dealt with given the history of it. So it is what it is.”
The Dolphins quarterback’s comments come after being diagnosed with his third concussion, an injury sustained in Week 2 of the 2023 season after colliding with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin while running for a first down. Instead of sliding, Tagovailoa lowered his shoulder into Hamlin, causing the brutal impact. The aftermath was concerning as Tagovailoa remained on his back, his hands raised in the air in a movement known as the “fencing response,” often associated with traumatic brain injuries.
Though cleared by medical experts to play again, Tagovailoa must still pass the final stage of the NFL’s concussion protocol before fully returning to the field. The Dolphins’ head coach, Mike McDaniel, explained that the medical team would make the final call, with hopes that Tagovailoa would start in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals if cleared.
The hit that caused Tagovailoa’s latest concussion happened in the third quarter of a game on September 12. Both teams signaled for medical staff immediately after the play, as Tagovailoa’s posture on the field made it clear that something was wrong. Despite not experiencing concussion symptoms after the day of the incident, Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve five days later.
When asked whether he thought it was necessary to be placed on injured reserve, Tagovailoa responded, “What I do know is I think the team did what was best in the interest of me, knowing that I’m a competitor.” He explained that the medical team prioritized his long-term recovery over a rush to return: “Given what the doctors have told me, that having a substantial amount of time to rest and recover would have been good for me. I think they did what was best in terms of protecting myself, you know, from myself.”
This is not the first time Tagovailoa has had to navigate conversations about his health. In 2022, he suffered two concussions, one of which led to an unsettling scene where he was stretchered off the field during a Thursday Night Football game, a moment that sparked widespread concern about his safety and led to revisions in the NFL’s concussion protocols. The changes aimed to ensure players showing signs of potential concussions, like balance issues or memory loss, are immediately removed from the game.
Over the past month, Tagovailoa has consulted medical experts across the country, and both he and McDaniel expressed confidence that the quarterback’s return to the game is safe. Importantly, the medical experts did not indicate that resuming his career would put him at any increased long-term risk. However, despite the clearance, public opinion on what Tagovailoa should do next is divided.
Tagovailoa acknowledged that he discussed the possibility of retirement with his family two years ago after his second concussion, but he said that this time around, quitting wasn’t on his mind. He expressed gratitude for the concern but dismissed the idea, noting that concussions in football aren’t treated the same way as injuries in other contact sports. “I hate that it’s happened, but we don’t look at boxers the same way. We don’t look at hockey players the same way,” he said, referencing the physical risks that are part of other high-contact sports.
McDaniel, meanwhile, has taken a cautious approach, reiterating that Tagovailoa must learn to protect himself better on the field. Tagovailoa’s decision to lower his shoulder into Hamlin rather than sliding has drawn criticism, but McDaniel reminded everyone that the responsibility to stay safe lies with both the player and the team. “Part of that is protecting yourself,” McDaniel said. “Part of that — I’ve got to make sure he’s properly protected, but at the same time, I can’t control everything. And he has to be able to protect himself.”
For Tagovailoa, staying smart on the field is key. He admitted that he has to make better decisions to protect his health, particularly as he tries to live up to the expectations of a four-year, $212 million contract extension he signed in the offseason. “I need to be smart,” he acknowledged, adding that while there’s risk in everything, he’s willing to continue playing.
“There’s risk in any and everything. Every time we all suit up, we’re all taking a risk that we could potentially get hurt, whether it’s a concussion, a broken bone, anything,” Tagovailoa said. “You get up off of the bed the wrong way, you potentially could risk spraining your ankle. But there’s just risk in any and everything. And I’m willing to play the odds.”
With his return to the game looming, Tagovailoa’s story underscores the ongoing debate surrounding concussions and player safety in the NFL. While some advocate for his retirement, Tagovailoa remains focused on his future in football, acknowledging the risks but trusting the medical professionals who have cleared him to play.
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