Add one AFC head coach to the list of notable NFL figures calling for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to retire after his latest concussion scare.
Tua Tagovailoa left in the third quarter of Miami’s Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills after suffering a concussion. Tagovailoa dove headfirst to pick up a first on a fourth-down situation, suffering the concussion after making contact with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on a routine tackle.
The latest concussion is especially concerning because Tagovailoa suffered three of them alone in the 2022 season. He had to be stretchered off the field after the second one (in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals)
Former NFL tight ends Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez, as well as former wide receivers Dez Bryant and Antonio Brown, have all called for Tua Tagovailoa to put his safety first and retire.
Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of his team’s road game against the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce also advised Miami’s star signal-caller to walk away from the game.
“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it, it’s not worth it…I haven’t witnessed anything like I’ve seen that’s happened to him three times. Scary…you can see the sense of urgency from everybody to get Tua help…He’s going to live than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family.”
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After suffering three concussions in 2022, Tagovailoa took up jiu-jitsu to help him avoid additional head-related injuries in the future. Tagovailoa also lost considerable weight this offseason (he didn’t say how much) to maximize his conditioning and on-field performance.
Despite a lackluster outing in relief of Tagovailoa, head coach Mike McDaniel has already confirmed that second-stringer Skylar Thompson will be the starting quarterback if Tagovailoa misses time. The Dolphins visit the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 on Sept. 22.
Tua Tagovailoa Has A Difficult Decision To Make
If the 26-year-old Tagovailoa walks away now, he wouldn’t be the only notable NFL star to retire early. Carolina Panthers legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly and former LB San Francisco 49ers Chris Borland retired from football early because of concussions.
At some point, Tagovailoa has to ask himself if the glamor of a football life is worth his health and well-being in his post-playing days.
