The Alabama Crimson Tide walked away from Starkville with a 38-7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday. Unfortunately, that victory was overshadowed by the injury to star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
With only minutes to go in the first half, Tagovailoa was brought to the ground by two State defenders while throwing the ball away. The collision caused what is being reported as a hip injury to the Honolulu (Haw.) native.
According to Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl down in Mobile (Ala.), Tagovailoa’s injury was similar to the one that ended former Auburn running back Bo Jackson’s career in the NFL:
Hearing Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury is serious. Hip fracture. Similar to Bo Jackson’s career-ending injury. Surgery tonight or tomorrow morning. Praying for Tua and his family. 🙏
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) November 16, 2019
As a result of the news to one of college football’s biggest stars, several people, including those who love and hate Alabama, took to Twitter to share their heartbreak and concern.
4 surgeries in 2 years all for the entertainment of Alabama fans. Has played injured multiple times to help his team. Tua Tagovailoa is special. He’s the definition of a warrior and if your opinion isn’t the same then I feel sorry for you. #ThankYou13
— Austin Randolph (@austinsrandolph) November 16, 2019
Dennis Pitta is a player who suffered a dislocated hip and returned to the NFL. But it was a long, arduous rehab and ultimately shortened his career.
Don’t know if Tua Tagovailoa injury will prove to be similar, but it puts in perspective how serious this can be.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) November 16, 2019
Remembering that Tua Tagovailoa is just a 21-year-old college student, so I pray he’s able to live a long and normal life at minimum after his serious hip injury.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 16, 2019
Prayers and white light for Tua Tagovailoa and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/tPTsTsK4zw
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) November 16, 2019
Everyone take a moment and pray for Tua Tagovailoa. Love or hate him, think he’s a good QB or not this is very sad. Young man put years into becoming a pro athlete and being one of the top picks in next years draft has his career, and millions in jeopardy. #PrayforTua
— Botched The Tank (@MVPTua) November 16, 2019
Damn…I hate Bama more than anything else in college football, but Tua is a dawggggg on that field. Mad respect for him and his game. Hope he comes back bigger and better after this injury. #TuaTagovailoa
— Perry Welch (@hookedonqwack) November 16, 2019
And here is one more tear-jerker for Alabama fans, who will forever be recognized for this game-winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 National Championship Game.
No matter what comes next, Tua Tagovailoa gave us the MOST ICONIC play in the history of the College Football Playoffs. Thank you @Tuaamann. God Bless & Roll Tide. pic.twitter.com/QoBKLPb6At
— kdk (@kdk3) November 16, 2019
At the end of the day, this is something that no one ever wants to see. The hope is that Tagovailoa is able to make a full recovery and get back to playing the game he loves.
Either way, keep him and his family in your thoughts!
UPDATE: Tua Tagovailoa will miss the remainder of the 2019 season, according to Aaron Suttles with The Athletic.
Breaking News: Tua Tagovailoa is out for the season with a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture, a person with knowledge of the situation tells me.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 16, 2019
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