Tua Tagovailoa refuses to protect his brain. The 26-year-old quarterback of the Miami Dolphins has a history of concussions but he continues to dive head first into contact.
It is to the point now that every time the former No. 5 overall pick takes off running, NFL fans collectively hold their breath. Sunday was not the exception.
Tagovailoa suffered his first diagnosed concussion during his junior year of college. He has had at least three very serious head injuries over the last three years. Miami actually forced him to relearn how to fall as a result of the concerns and politely asked him to stop putting himself in harm’s way.
Tyreek Hill even encouraged the Dolphins’ fanbase to cheer every time their quarterback protects his head. They went absolutely bonkers for his first feet-first slide after his latest concussion earlier this year.
However, the crowd has not had much reason to applaud over the last few weeks. Tagovailoa has played with reckless abandon as if he never heard the request of his head coach, teammates and front office.
The most recent example took place during the first half of Miami’s game against Houston.
Tua Tagovailoa pic.twitter.com/uENSLy5M1u
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) December 15, 2024
Tagovailoa dove head first on 3rd-and-7. A pair of defenders sandwiched him just short of the first down marker. The Dolphins would much prefer that he just goes down instead of taking the hit.
Not long thereafter, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound signal-caller got smacked from behind. This time, it was not his fault that he got clobbered.
WILL FORCES THE FUMBLE, TIM RECOVERS 🫡
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 15, 2024
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/nlpnPuTYl1
The good news is that Tua Tagovailoa was and is okay. The bad news is that this is still a thing.
No matter how long Tagovailoa plays in the NFL, he will be a concussion risk. Three major head injuries in three years would end quite a few careers. Miami’s quarterback wants to keep playing, which is his prerogative, and received medical clearance to do so. With that being said, another skull-rattling hit to the noggin does not bode well for his health. Just slide!!!