Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has struggled with a number of concussions over the past 24 months.
The most recent head injury occurred during the Dolphins’ 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first Thursday Night Football game of the season. Tagovailoa collided with Bills Safety Damar Hamlin in the second half, resulting in the third confirmed concussion the quarterback has been diagnosed with since entering the NFL.
Thursday’s health scare reignited debate about whether the 26-year-old quarterback should end his career as a football player.
Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, a former professional wrestler who also played college football at Harvard, commented on Tagovailoa’s situation.
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Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“Tua undoubtedly suffered a traumatic brain injury in this game,” Nowinski wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “His right arm is in the ‘fencing stance’ indicating unconsciousness and is on the most severe end of the #concussion spectrum. He is out for tonight and will have to miss the next game.”
DOLPHINS PLAYER TUA TAGOVAILOA FACING CALLS TO RETIRE FROM NFL AFTER NEW CONCUSSION: ‘IT’S NOT WORTH IT’
Nowinski last competed in WWE in 2003 under the name Chris Harvard. Since retiring from professional competition, Nowinski has become one of the most prominent voices in concussion awareness.
He also holds a PhD in behavioral neuroscience from Boston University.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is helped onto the field during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Elsewhere, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant called on Tagovailoa to end his NFL career, citing “his longevity” and “health concerns.”
Other former players also spoke out, including three-time Super Bowl winner Shannon Sharpe.
“I really hope Tua is OK, but he needs to seriously consider quitting. I’m just saying. His concussions are getting worse and he’s a young man with his whole life ahead of him,” Sharpe wrote in a social media post.
Nowinski did not call on Tagovailoa to end his football career. Instead, he emphasized the importance of the quarterback recovering from his recent head injury.
“There is no magic number of concussions that will require retirement from the sport,” he said. “It all depends on how he recovers from them, but too many concussions can lead to chronic symptoms and mental disorders. He’s in a very difficult position.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field with training personnel after sustaining an apparent injury during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, September 12, 2024. (Jasen Vinlove-Images)
Nowinski also pointed out the dilemma a doctor might face if he advises Tagovailoa to stop therapy.
“Here’s a hard truth,” Nowinski said. “Doctors who advise elite athletes to retire — without symptoms lasting over a year, without brain hemorrhages or serious MRI changes — can be blacklisted. Many doctors may advise Tua to retire simply because of his frequent concussions. Tua may not go to those doctors.”
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Tagovailoa ran with the football for a first down in the third quarter of Thursday’s game and lowered his shoulder instead of sliding as Hamlin closed in. The 26-year-old playmaker remained on the turf for several minutes while medical personnel tended to him. Tagovailoa was eventually able to walk to the Dolphins’ sideline.
The Dolphins plan to add another quarterback to their roster while Tagovailoa deals with his recent concussion, but Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear that Tagovailoa’s health is the main focus of all efforts.
Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson will likely play in Miami’s game against the The Seattle Seahawks September 22nd.
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