Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's NFL future remains uncertain after suffering his third concussion in three years in Week 2. Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve on September 17th after failing to clear the NFL's concussion protocol.
Fellow professional athletes and media commentators are calling on Tagovailoa to retire for the sake of his health and life.
Now, his college coach has given insight into the conversations he had with the quarterback about his NFL future. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban spoke about Tagovailoa's recovery and future in an interview with Pat McAfee on Friday.
“I talked to Tua, he seemed (good),” Saban said. “I talked to him right after that. He's a good guy. He's always positive, very enthusiastic. Terry (Saban's wife) talks to his mother a lot. I'm hoping for prayers.'' Whether he really wants to play or if he ever gets a chance to play again, that's a medical decision that someone has to make. I think so. ”
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Saban said Tagovailoa's situation and concerns about his brain health and career are having an emotional impact on his former coach.
“But, you know, Tua is the best. I mean, I hate it, I hate him, because he's such a good guy who does everything the right way. He's the only player I've ever thought of like that.'' You ask him, “How are you today?'' He said, “Great, Coach, thanks for asking.” I mean, that guy is always phenomenal, I like to see guys like that succeed and not face adversity, but hopefully he can overcome it. ”
On September 12, Tagovailoa was hit by Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a game against the Buffalo Bills and fell to the turf in pain, showing signs of a traumatic brain injury, according to multiple experts. That's what it means. Tagovailoa's history of brain injuries includes two in one month of the 2022 season.
Tagovailoa's arm froze in what neurologists call a “fencing reaction,” a sign of head trauma.
Tua Tagovailoa's retirement could cost Dolphins $124 million after relying on jiu-jitsu to end concussion
The third concussion has affected former NFL players, including former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, New York Giants Super Bowl winning kicker Lawrence Tynes, Broncos Hall of Famer and current ESPN host Shannon Sharpe. Players called for his retirement.
Team trainers and doctors may eventually allow Tagovailoa to return to competition. If that happens, he will have to make a decision whether to continue playing. There is a possibility that the doctor will not allow him to return.
If Tagovailoa fails to pass concussion protocol for the third time in his NFL career, he could be forced to retire. If he were to retire, the Dolphins would have to pay him a huge chunk of his $212.4 million contract.
The contract, signed by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier in July, includes $167 million guaranteed. Tagovailoa has already earned $43 million of that salary and is entitled to recoup the remaining $124 million if he is medically forced to retire.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel holds quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as he leaves the game with a concussion during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 12, 2024. Have a conversation with you (1 year old). (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
However, if he is allowed to return and chooses to retire anyway, he will lose that guaranteed money. In that case, he and the team would have to reach a settlement.
The deal was signed well after he suffered his last three concussions and also after he admitted last offseason that he was considering retirement. However, Grier said during the team's press conference on February 28 that he was not concerned about the quarterback's concussion history. Grier cited offseason Jiu-Jitsu training as a solution to quarterback concussion concerns.
“One of the things Tua did was attack in the offseason because he wanted to prove he could stay healthy. The time he spent learning falls with jiu-jitsu and things like that paid off for him. ” he said.
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also said he and the team are “comforted” that jiu-jitsu is the solution to preventing quarterback concussions.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)
“We had a lot of different ideas, some of which we won't repeat because they weren't as good as that idea,” McDaniel said during the team's Feb. 28 press conference. “We're going to do it by any means necessary. '' he said.
McDaniel told reporters this week that the quarterback has not yet cleared concussion protocol and will meet with a brain health specialist during the team's bye week. Asked if the team had any advice to keep Tagovailoa out longer after he was cleared to return, McDaniel said he had “not received any negative feedback” from experts.
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