MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It’s one thing for social media pundits and sportswriters to call for Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s retirement after he suffered (at least) his fourth concussion in five years on Thursday night.
It’s something altogether different when fellow members of the NFL fraternity make the same recommendation.
And that’s the point we’ve now reached after Tagovailoa got concussed and exhibited a fencing response in a showcase game for the second time in three seasons.
Should Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Retire?
“That’s it… NFL, go ahead and do the right thing,” retired wide receiver Dez Bryant wrote late Thursday. “Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He needs to retire for his longevity health concerns.”
Added ex-NFL kicker Lawrence Tynes: “If I’m Tua, I’m taking my money and my ass to the Hawaiian islands and never playing football again. It’s not worth it, that’s just way too many head injuries for a young man with his whole life in front of him.”
Tagovailoa gave considerable thought to doing just that following the 2022 season when he missed five games, including the playoffs, with two diagnosed concussions. He ultimately decided to continue his career.
Still, we can’t rule out the possibility, however remote, that Tagovailoa took his final NFL snap here Thursday night.
Following the game, Pro Football Network asked Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel if it’s safe for Tagovailoa to continue playing, given his long history of head injuries. Here was McDaniel’s answer in full, which can also be viewed in the YouTube player below:
“I think from a medical standpoint, I don’t approach things that I’m far inferior of expertise. I’m just there to support my teammate, like I said. I think for me to go ahead and forecast things that I don’t know in my non-field of expertise, I don’t think that’s appropriate,” he said.
“I think we’ll find out some more information tomorrow in terms of where Tua’s at. He’ll be able to spend a good amount of time being evaluated, then we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate. Like the rest of his teammates, who he went around the locker room and connected with as a leader, he was trying to keep the guys’ heads up, he’ll be in the office tomorrow to have the appropriate care.”
Last time around, Tagovailoa underwent a battery of tests and saw several specialists before returning to the football field. Expect him to have at least that same degree of diligence this time around.
“There is no magic number of concussions to require retirement,” neuroscientist Chris Nowinski wrote on X. “It all depends on how he recovers from this one, but having too many concussions can lead to chronic symptoms and mental health disorders. He’s in a very tough spot.”
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Nowinski added: “Here is a difficult truth: Doctors who advise star athletes to retire — in the absence of symptoms lasting >1 year, brain bleeds or gross MRI changes — can get blacklisted. Many docs may advise Tua to retire based on his frequent concussions alone. Tua may not see those doctors.”
NFL Personalities React to Tua Tagovailoa’s Injury
Several stars within the NFL world immediately reacted to Tagovailoa’s injury, including Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Bills QB Josh Allen, and the former players on the Amazon Prime postgame panel.
“🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽” posted Patrick Mahomes on X within minutes of the hit.
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) September 13, 2024
With Tagovailoa having already suffered three concussions in the past, he’d already considered retirement. After Thursday, those talks might return.
Dez Bryant and Shannon Sharpe, and many others, said they think he should.
“Really hope Tua is ok, but he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it down,” said Sharpe on X. “I H8 saying this. His concussions are getting worse and worse, and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him.”
“That’s it… NFL go ahead and do the right thing. Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He need to retire for his longevity health concerns,” said Bryant.
During the postgame coverage, both Allen and the panel shared their thoughts on the situation.
Former NFL stars Richard Sherman, Andrew Whitworth, and Tony Gonzalez all shared that they believe Tagovailoa should consider retirement.
“If you know Tua outside of football … You can’t help but feel for him,” said Allen. “Praying for him and his family, hoping everything is OK.”
"He's one of the best humans on the planet."
Josh Allen has a lot of love for @Tua.#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/fjq9vAbaDL
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 13, 2024
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho posted a video on X to share his thoughts.
“It’s time we have an Uncomfortable Conversation about Tua Tagovailoa … The helmet protects the skull from fracture, it does not protect the brain from injury,” said Acho.
It’s time we have an Uncomfortable Conversation about Tua Tagovailoa..
The helmet protects the skull from fracture, it does not protect the brain from injury. 💔💔#FinsUp @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/7UZ5IYXpw4
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 13, 2024
Former ESPN broadcaster and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also took to X, sharing that Tagovailoa’s long-term health is what is most important.
“Really just praying for Tua’s long-term health. Another concussion puts him at 3 officially and countless other scares. Think of the person not just the player,” said Griffin.
“Part of the discussion is going to be about if he should play anymore. Ever again,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick said on X. “That’s the reality. That makes me feel sick. But it’s part of the discussion now. Just want the man to be safe and healthy. Damn.”