The Miami Dolphins made QB Tua Tagovailoa one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL in late July, reaching a 4-year extension worth $212.4 million.
And as the Dolphins attempted to put a drive together to cut into the Buffalo Bills 31-10 lead, the Miami QB took off as a runner to pick up a fourth down conversion in the red zone, diving head first to make sure he got the first down.
And suddenly the entire energy was sucked out of Hard Rock Stadium, when Tagovailoa’s head collided violently with Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin.
For any other QB, a concussion would be concerning and taken seriously. For Tua Tagovailoa and the 2024 Miami Dolphins, a concussion could be absolutely devastating.
Tagovailoa twice was placed in the league’s concussion protocol during the 2022 season, one instance coming after he sustained a frightening injury on national television in a Thursday night game against Cincinnati. He missed four games in total, but the seriousness of his injuries left most everyone wondering what Tagovailoa’s future might look like.
“Yeah, I think I considered it for a time,” Tagovailoa said. “Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kind of conversations, but, really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game with how old I am, with my son — I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do. It’s my health, it’s my body, and I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football. If I didn’t, I would’ve quit a long time ago.”
The MIami Dolphins QB added that doctors and specialists told him that there’s no evidence he’s at greater risk for concussions or CTE in 2023 or beyond because he had multiple concussions last season, which played into his decision to return to football.
On Thursday night, Tagovailoa immediately was witnessed “fencing” in the moments right after the head injury, which appeared as the same involuntary movement he showed in 2022 that doctors say is associated with a traumatic brain injury. Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the “fencing posture” indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.
Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the "fencing posture" indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.pic.twitter.com/3Ur62QfBLH
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 13, 2024
“Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question,” Dr. Chris Nowinski said on X. “His right arm shows the “fencing posture” indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.”
Former NFL Stars Say Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Should Retire After Latest Concussion
Ultimately, Tua will get placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol and won’t be able to take the field until he is cleared after passing a series of tests to ensure his brain is functioning at a normal level.
But with his well-documented history of facing serious concussions on national television — and contemplating retirement himself in the past — a few former NFL stars took to social media after the big hit and said the Miami Dolphins QB should walk away from football at this point.
That’s it….
NFL go ahead and do the right thing
Tua has had entirely way too many concussions
He need to retire for his longevity health concerns
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 13, 2024
