Tua Tagovailoa Discusses Last Season’s Concussions And Nearly Retiring

Tua Tagovailoa Miami Dolphins quarterback

Getty Image / Megan Briggs


Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa already has his sights set on the 2023 NFL season despite having three months left until the start of training camp.

Speaking with reporters alongside Dolphins’ staff members ahead of the NFL Draft, Tua Tagovailoa spoke candidly about his 2022 season being plagued by concussions.

In a shocking admission, Tua told reporters that things had gotten so bad for him last season he had considered retirement from the NFL despite being just 25 years old.

Tua Tagovailoa on concussion:

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“Tua says he considered retirement ‘for a time’ after his multiple concussions last season but:

‘it would be hard for me to walk away from this game with how old I am, with my son — I always dreamed of playing as long as a could to the point where my son knew what he’s watching.'”

While speaking about concussions, Tua Tagovailoa also spoke about CTE:

He also admitted to watching those injuries on film and said it wasn’t tough to watch alongside is Jiu-Jitsu coach (?!)

Interestingly, despite all of his injuries last season, Tua told reporters that he would’ve played in the NFL Playoffs last season if if he was asked to.

Three concussions in a lifetime is a lot of concussions but after suffering three in one season, it’s a miracle that Tua is as upbeat as he is. I’ve suffered 4 in my lifetime and I’m overly cautious about everything involving my head at this point and I’m plagued by migraines.

Recently, Tua said he’s feeling better than he was at this time last year.

He told reporters “I’m smiling a lot more. So I would say good.” Adding that “Offseason training has been good. (I’ve) Been working on strength in many areas and been chapping away at things that I felt like I needed to work on to get to where I feel like I can get to in the later parts of the season.”

Currently, the Dolpins are +1200 to win the AFC in 2023 behind the Jets, Bengals, Bills, and Chiefs.