Dear Tua Tagovailoa,
First off, I want you to know that so many people, including myself, have been thinking of you, praying for you, and sending you well wishes. We’re rooting you on as you recover. There’s no doubt in my mind that being the warrior, fighter, and champion you are, that you’re going to make a FULL recovery, and come out of this experience stronger, both physically and mentally.
I wanted to take the time to thank you for all you’ve done to not only change Alabama Football forever, but the positive impact you’ve made on the game of college football in general.
You’ve emerged as one of the most humble and talented players to play the game of football. You’re forever known as “2nd and 26,” and for good reasons. When your team needed you most, you showed up and showed out, even after you were sacked. That’s the moment I knew you were special. Most quarterbacks would’ve crumbled under that pressure. It was overtime, you were sacked the play before, and it was 2nd &26, but you were so composed and confident, unlike anything I’ve ever seen from a true freshman quarterbacks at Alabama.
From that moment on, you changed the game.
In how you carry yourself. In your ability to be humble, yet hungry. In your ability to lead your team with character and integrity. In your ability to be a teammate who always uplifts his teammates. And in your ability to be a positive role-model for so many people.
Sure, you’ll go down in history as one of, if not the best quarterback to ever play at Alabama. But it’s more than stats. It’s more than the 7,442 yards and 87 passing touchdowns you’ve had in your career. It’s how you lead. It’s how you always have a smile on your face. It’s how you LITERALLY gave your heart and body to the game. It’s how you gave your team every single thing you had in every single game.
Tua, I’m not sure what your next step is. That’s a decision you and your family need to pray about. But regardless, we support you. Whether you choose to return to Alabama for your senior year, or whether you decide to enter into the NFL Draft, just know you’ll ALWAYS have a home, a family, an Ohana, here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Roll Tide, forever Tua.
Sincerely, Hannah Stephens
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