Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion Thursday after taking a blow to the head in the third quarter of the team’s loss to the Bills.
It was a scary moment for the Miami signal-caller when he ducked and rammed his helmet into Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin. The hit twisted Tagovailoa’s neck and he lay motionless on the ground before showing signs of movement, eventually leaving the field with the help of Miami’s medical team.
As scary as the play was in the moment, it’s even scarier when you consider Tagovailoa’s history of head injuries during his time in the NFL.
As attention remains focused on his overall well-being, several former NFL players have taken to social media to question whether Tagovailoa should retire from the game.
Will Tua Tagovailoa retire?
Following his injury, neither Tagovailoa nor the Dolphins discussed whether or not retirement was in the near future.
After the game, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel took a measured approach when asked about Tagovailoa’s future play football.
I think it’s from a medical standpoint. I don’t go into things that I’m way below in terms of expertise. I’m just there to support my teammate, like I said. I think it’s not appropriate for me to go ahead and predict things that I don’t know in my area of expertise. I think we’ll know more tomorrow about Tua’s situation. He can spend a lot of time being evaluated and then we’ll have conversations and move forward accordingly. But I’m like the rest of his teammates that he’s been around the locker room and bonding with. As a leader, he was trying to hold guys’ heads up and he’ll be in the office tomorrow getting the proper care.
McDaniel took a similar approach when he spoke to the media Friday morning.
“You’re talking about his career,” Miami’s head coach said. said of the retirement discussion. “His career is his own… I just wish people would hear for a second that talking about his future is not in his best interest.”
Thursday’s injury is Tagovailoa’s third known concussion in his five-year NFL career. He missed time after suffering concussions in Weeks 4 and 16 of the 2022 season.
In 2023, Tagovailoa revealed that a series of head injuries in 2022 has prompted him to consider retiring from the game.
The 26-year-old’s latest injury has sparked widespread reaction from former players, focused on his long-term future outside the game.
Former NFL players call on Tua Tagovailoa to retire
Among the players who reacted immediately were Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and longtime Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.
“I really hope Tua is okay, but he needs to seriously consider quitting,” Sharpe posted on X (formerly Twitter). “His concussions are getting worse and he’s a young man with his whole life ahead of him.”
I really hope Tua is okay, but he needs to seriously consider quitting. I can’t say that. His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his whole life ahead of him. #BillsFins #ThursdayEveningFootball.
— Shannon Sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) September 13, 2024
Like Sharpe, Bryant’s suggestion came with a bigger picture in mind, thinking about Tagovailoa’s life rather than his football career,
That’s it….
The NFL is moving forward and doing the right thing
Tua has had way too many concussions
He must retire for reasons of health and longevity.
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 13, 2024
In an interview with reporters Friday, retired nine-year veteran and current Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce gave his thoughts on Tagovailoa.
“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Pierce told reporters, citing the number of problems Tagovailoa has had during his career. “He’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family.”
#The Raiders Head coach Antonio Pierce says he would tell Tua Tagovailoa to retire from the NFL.
“I have never seen anything like what happened to him three times. … Take care of your family.”
pic.twitter.com/8b9MNt8CEE— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2024
Former All-Pro offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz, said He felt Tagovailoa should retire when asked by a subscriber on X.
Antonio Brown too said“Tua may want to reconsider playing football in the future depending on the severity of his symptoms,” adding that “concussions are not something to be taken lightly.”
Tagovailoa, 26, married his wife in 2022 and has two young children.
If Tagovailoa decides to hang up his boots, he would join a list of NFL players who have opted for early retirement in the interest of their long-term health and well-being.
