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Tua Tagovailoa was one of a handful of notable NFL players who were among the high-profile athletes who’d seemingly agreed to throw their support behind Donald Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. However, as was the case with Saquon Barkey, the Dolphins quarterback apparently didn’t realize he’d been recruited for the role until the administration used his name to promote the initiative.
On July 31st, sports dignitaries including Bryson DeChambeau, Harrison Butker, and Lawrence Taylor made their way to the White House for a press conference commemorating the relaunch of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, the advisory committee dedicated to boosting the health of young Americans and overseeing the recently rebooted Presidential Fitness test.
The athletes in attendance made up just a small chunk of the many notable names who had presumably agreed to become involved with the initiative in some capacity after their names appeared in the press release the White House issued to drum up some hype.
However, that assumption was called into question after Saquon Barkley asserted he’d explicitly turned down the opportunity, it sounds like he’s not the only person who was caught off guard based on what another current NFL player has to say about an appointment he seems a bit more willing to accept.
Tua Tagovailoa says he had no idea he was being named to the Presidential Fitness Council before his name was used to help publicize it
Earlier this week, Barkley—who had to deal with some backlash earlier after playing golf with Trump before he and (some) of his fellow Eagles visited the White House—deployed the word “shocked” multiple times while making it clear he rejected the invite to join the council while citing his busy schedule.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was slightly more diplomatic when he addressed his involvement while speaking with the media on Wednesday, but it was also very evident he hadn’t gone out of his way to get involved.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on being appointed by President Donald Trump to his Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
And Tua does a Trump impersonation 😂 pic.twitter.com/pDGKNZDmEG
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 6, 2025
He somewhat awkwardly endorsed the council he wasn’t actually aware he’d endorsed, saying, “I think it’s pretty cool. It’s an honor. I would say I don’t know too much about it, but again, I think that’s an honor.” When a reporter asked him how it all came together, he responded, “I should ask you that question, too, bro. How did that all develop? I’m not too sure,” capping his answer off with a fairly stilted chuckle.
At the end of the day, I don’t think anyone really expects active athletes to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the council. With that said, the fact that multiple members were seemingly added into the fold without anyone confirming they wanted to be is a bit odd.