Tua Tagovailoa made it clear that hanging up his cleats was never an option.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback took another stiff blow to his head against the Los Angeles Rams this week, not long after returning from five weeks out with a concussion. He showed no signs that his collision with Damar Hamlin during the Dolphins’ clash with Buffalo Bills in September had caused concern, tackling Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom with his head once again.
Considering the multiple blows he has taken since he joined the NFL five years ago, fans were worried the 26-year-old may leave the sport to avoid taking any more damage. However, the quarterback is not considering retirement just yet.
After the Dolphins’ 23-15 win over the Rams, Tagovailoa told ESPN: “It never stuck in my mind that I was ever thinking of retiring. Whether the doctors told me that or not, it would have just been information for me.”
He also said his family “definitely” played a role in his decision not to retire. The Hawaii native added: “With what I was doing working out week-to-week, I’m in here everyday. It’s like a no-brainer, what I’m I working hard for then?”
Tagovailoa’s latest knock to the head made the NFL world immediately concerned. His collision with Rozeboom looked nasty and drew more attention to his history of head injuries.
(Image: 2024 Michael Owens)
Medics rushed onto the field to check he was okay, but he went on to finish the match. Reflecting on the moment, he added: “I wasn’t planning on using my head [to tackle him].
“I didn’t feel any ill-effects.. It was pretty bad tackling form though. From the second it happened, obviously [it was] not a good feeling.
“I ended up making a decision that obviously everyone that has supported me – and everyone that doesn’t support me that has been looking and watching that game – would be like, ‘Dude, what are you doing?'”
(Image: Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Ironically, his latest clash came not long after he said he was determined to not become “the poster boy for concussions”. It was not the first time his technique has seen him risk a serious injury.
While reflecting on his challenge on Hamlin in Week 2, he said: “I would say from the second it happened, obviously not a good feeling being out on the field, knowing the situation.
“Trying to do all I can to get a first down, not knowing, can I slide in this situation? It was forth down. Can I slide? Do I have to go for it?’ If you look at that play again, I looked to the right before I scrambled to see where the marker is before I go for it and dive for it. So I’m sort of re-tweaking everything.”
