Getty Image / Dylan Buell
They say that the NFL protects the shield at all costs. And, that’s mostly true. The league does go out and protect the entire league as a whole whenever it can. They limit controversies when they can and will talk about success stories until they’re blue in the face.
But, there may not be any protecting the shield on this one. Tua Tagovailoa suffered what looked to be a traumatic brain injury in week 3’s Thursday Night Football matchup between The Dolphins and the Bengals. This comes just four days after Tagovailoa was seen stumbling off the field in the Dolphins game against the Bills.
Tagovailoa would come back in and finish that game amidst controversy over him being allowed to come back in. The NFLPA launched an investigation into the concussion protocol process.
I, too, do this when my back hurts:pic.twitter.com/XlQsLLbuQ5 https://t.co/qitID0qZPR
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) September 26, 2022
All of this led up to Thursday Night’s crushing hit that left Tua seemingly limp on the field.
Tua goes down with a scary injury. Prayers to Tua. pic.twitter.com/f9tBcBRgvQ
— Average Takes (@AverageTakes_) September 30, 2022
People are mad at the NFL that Tua Tagovailoa was allowed to play
Chris Nowinski, former WWE wrestler who now had a PhD in Neuroscience, had spoken out about the risks of Tua playing before the game.
If Tua takes the field tonight, it’s a massive step back for #concussion care in the NFL.
If he has a 2nd concussion that destroys his season or career, everyone involved will be sued & should lose their jobs, coaches included. We all saw it, even they must know this isn’t right https://t.co/vxpaOif5rh
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 29, 2022
Afterwards, he was furious. And, he raised a valid point.
This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
But, he’s especially mad at the Dolphins.
You guys should go to jail for letting him play 5 days after an obvious #concussion you covered up. If he dies from second-impact syndrome, I’m pushing form murder charges. https://t.co/Wv043Tj9x5
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
Sports Illustrated NFL writer Albert Breer thinks that the NFL has lots of questions to answer. I surely agree.
The NFL has a lot of questions to answer after this one.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 30, 2022
There is a lot of these type of tweets.
Prayers up for Tua. Concussion protocol my ass. NFL should be ashamed they let that man go back in the game last week and then suit up 4 days later for this TNF game. Unreal.
— Alex Wood (@Awood45) September 30, 2022
Sometimes, it seems like this is true.
NFL not stopping until somebody die in that field
— d. (@_312DARIUS) September 30, 2022