Tua Tagovailoa is still on the concussion protocolImage: Getty Images
The people closest to Tua Tagovailoa may say that they openly support him, but there must be a part of them that wants to shout, “Intervention! Intervention! Intervention!” The Miami Dolphins quarterback’s parents, Galu and Diane, both said their son was “coming back,” and I can’t imagine them saying otherwise.
In his first year under new head coach Mike McDaniel, Tua finally showed a glimpse of what made him idolized at Alabama, and if he had another injury the hype for next season would have already begun. However, a month after his third hit to the head of the year — two confirmed concussions and one worrisome hit to the head — he’s still on concussion record and will now miss the Pro Bowl. It’s the Pro Bowl so who cares, but at least it was useful this year because I don’t know if we’ll get an update on Tua’s status other than for his inclusion in the upcoming showcase.
Why would anyone want to ruin Tua’s dreams?
It’s so easy for me to sit here and write that, at least this offseason, Tagovailoa needs to step back from the game and really consider his options going forward. Look how easy that was. Check this out: Tagovailoa needs to step away from the game at least this off-season and really consider its options going forward. I didn’t even have to type it back then. It was just copy and paste.
The Dolphins haven’t had a franchise QB since Dan Marino, and all of South Florida wants that as badly as Tua does, maybe more. And he did. Miami made the playoffs largely because of the hot start the QB, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle got them to. We know how tight the bond is in the dressing room and no doubt these guys want him back. I guess Tagovailoa would like to return as well and probably feels compelled to do so.
According to an ESPN report, he’s met with several doctors and specialists since the protocol began, and that’s great. However, I hope he does it independently of the organization and the NFL. Nobody knows the exact impact of three concussions in one season, but we know it’s not good. I hope whoever he speaks gives him the unbiased truth. Also, it probably wouldn’t hurt to reach out to someone like Andrew Luck to tell him what life is like after early retirement.
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Why anyone would want to ruin Tua’s dreams – no one does. It’s more than a multimillion dollar decision, it’s a quality of life decision. One that doctors are theoretically telling him right now.
Every time Tagovailoa gets hit in the head for the rest of his career, fans will hold their breath as the press prepare their shots. That’s the reality of the situation, and it’s terrible. But for Tua it’s even worse.