In the wake of another concussion suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a wave of people around the NFL have pushed for the 26-year-old passer to retire from football.
In the words of ESPN’s Pablo Torre, Tagovailoa has become “the new poster child for concussions” and “it’s stunning and unprecedented” to see how many are calling for him to leave the game for his neurological health.
While that chorus has included media members like Colin Cowherd and Stephen A. Smith, several former NFL players have also made the suggestion.
“I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” said Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who had a nine-year career as a linebacker in the NFL. “Playing the game, I haven’t witnessed anything like — I’ve seen this happen to him three times. It’s scary. … He’s gonna live longer than he plays football. Take care of your family.”
“Just think about life,” Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins said on SportsCenter. “From the outside looking in, take a triple thought about your next steps, because football is such a minute part of life and we respect his game and you’re part of this game forever. Tua, you’re a legend, bro.”
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If that was my son, it might be time,” former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said on the Thursday broadcast on Amazon Prime. “I’m not a doctor, but (a concussion) is when your brain is really shutting off. It’s happened a couple of times.”
“This is something that can affect you long term,” former NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez added on the broadcast. “For me, it’s time to move on.”
Tagovailoa was sidelined with two concussions during the 2022 season, although many believe he suffered a third that year that was undiagnosed. The quarterback also suffered a concussion during his final season at Alabama on a play that also resulted in a broken nose and a hip injury.
“I totally get how that’s where people want to go to,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of the push for Tagovailoa to retire. “I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him, so I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care, that that should be the last thing on your mind. … When you’re talking about somebody’s career – it probably is only fair that their career should be decided by them.
“I told him he’s the starting quarterback of his family and to go in the locker room, take a deep breath and I’ll see you soon.”
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