In a recent press conference, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gave a candid response to a question asking whether or not he had considered “walking away” after a 2022 season in which he suffered multiple concussions. 
“Yeah, I think I considered it, you know, for a time,” Tagovailoa said in reply. “Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kinds 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 mean, I love the game of football. If I didn’t, I would’ve quit a long time ago.”
Tagovailoa suffered three concussions during the 2022 season, resulting in him missing five games, including Miami’s first playoff game since 2016. This marked the third consecutive season to start his career where he hasn’t been able to play every game because of injury. He dealt with a jammed thumb and fractured ribs in his first two seasons. The concussions this year were the first he’d had diagnosed since college, but the sheer frequency of the injury this year caused him to deliberate.
The 25-year-old had undergone several medical evaluations since his most recent concussion and had decided that he couldn’t overlook what the medical information told him. Luckily, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the doctors gave Tagovailoa good news, stating that “no medical evidence proves” that concussions are more likely eight to twelve months after suffering concussions (no matter how many).
So, Tagovailoa will return for his fourth year in the NFL, and should, at the very least, be back for a fifth, after the Dolphins picked up his fifth-year option. In 2023, he will look to build off of last year, easily his most productive season. Miami retained most of the running backs room, and even though Tagovailoa lost tight end Mike Gesicki to New England in free agency, the young passer will have Chosen Anderson and Braxton Berrios as additional weapons in 2023.
Tagovailoa is expected to return and, according to medical opinion, should not be any more likely to suffer head injuries due to his history with concussions. He’s even practiced how best to fall in order to avoid such injuries.
This poor guy…hoping he doesn’t suffer going forward. Outs hard to walk away from the game, the money, and teammates, but all that money may not cover what he could experience down the road. I’m not even sure teams would risk giving him the payday he’d hope to get if he continues to perform. It’s just too risky, and unfortunate for him.
Reconsider tua
There is supposedly a new QB helmet available in the NFL this year – as someone finally realized that QB heads hit the ground in different ways than most other players.
Please reconsider Tua or set a # (like 1-2 more) , I know you love the game , it might even be the only thing you know , but you are young and presumably have a lot of life left to live .. go into coaching or commentary.. you can stay around the game and live a quality life..
I don’t know why he would bring this up while he’s still intending to play. This is a business and one of his classmates just signed for 250 million. He’s making the team’s case for them, to not pay him to risk his life.
He was responding to a question…he didn’t bring it up
It was a stupid response to the question. He should have said No, and saved the truth for his memoirs. He’s in a contract year.
It’s a QB driven league. He didn’t hurt his value at all with this comment. His business will be just fine. Whether it’s Miami or someone else, kid will get paid. Hurts deal, probably not but hurts was in the MVP running and took his team to a SB. He will still get 45+/year
To continue to play with his history of concussion is imprudent. I’m not sure the NFL should not step in and bar Tagovailoa from retaking the field. Even if the NFL has to pay out his rookie contract including the fifth year option, this story has potential long-term repercussions.
If Tua suffers mental issues immediately after another concussion or two, or even twenty years down the line, a good attorney and a sympathetic jury could turn this into a powerful gross negligence suite. This is Roman gladiator die-in-the-arena stuff.
It’s a pity, as Tua has always been exciting to watch.