Tua Tagovailoa’s parents: No doubt that Tua comes back and plays next season

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In October, Tua Tagovailoa said he didn’t know if his parents were on board with him playing football after suffering a serious concussion. Tagovailoa has suffered another concussion since then, but his parents both said this week that they’re confident he will play in 2023.

Asked by KHON if there’s any doubt that Tua will play this year, his mother Diane Tagovailoa answered, “No, he comes back.”

Tua’s father Galu Tagovailoa said he’s certain Tagovailoa will be playing for the Dolphins in the 2023 season.

Oh, he comes back,” Galu said. “Yeah, he comes back. That’s their guy. I mean, they love him. We love them and what they’re doing and how [they are] helping him with his recovery and everything else, you know, trying to get him back, still going through his protocol, but we’re grateful for them, too. Very thankful for Miami, the organization, the owner, GM, and head coach, Mike [McDaniel], I mean, that guy’s special. Very special head coach.”

Tua Tagovailoa has still not cleared the concussion protocol after suffering a concussion on December 25.

64 responses to “Tua Tagovailoa’s parents: No doubt that Tua comes back and plays next season

  1. Let’s face it, he is trying to get to the point of signing that big second contract. I truly believe he is one or two concussions away from never playing again. What good is money when have brain damage and can’t function day to day.

  2. “and how [they are] helping him with his recovery and everything else, you know, trying to get him back, still going through his protocol, but we’re grateful for them, too. Very thankful for Miami, the organization, the owner, GM, and head coach, Mike [McDaniel], I mean, that guy’s special. Very special head coach.”

    By the parents comments, all you armchair neurologists including sportswriters can drop the “he should retire” and the “Dolphins are a bad organization” crap.

  3. Hopefully if Tua gets a few more knocks to his head he will remember who his parents are in a few more years.

  4. The Dolphins better secure a reliable backup QB who can actually play and stay healthy for 2023.

  5. If everybody really loved him they would be telling him to call it a day. For his own health. I really like the Dolphins but for them to play him is irresponsible.

  6. If I was the coach of the Dolphins I wud be scared to play Tua. Putting him on the field is asking for another incident that’s as bad as Demar Hamlin’s was. They should work out a settlement and have Tua retire. I know it’s the players dream to play in the league but concussions have forced a lot of players to stop playing.

  7. Well this depressing.
    Tua is surrounded by people who don’t care about his health.

  8. I actually didn’t realize that they continue the concussion protocol in the off-season. If he’s been going through tests regularly, as the article would suggest, thats terrible.

  9. He at least better learn how to fall by using his hands to brace himself. He’s barely getting tackled in typical fashion and his head hits the ground before any other body part.

  10. It would be prudent for Tua to be evaluated with proper testing by at least one other neurologist team and one that has no affiliation with the NFL’s medical experts, if he hasn’t done so already.

  11. The back to back concussions only four days apart likely did more damage than anyone wants to admit, and now they’re hoping that keeping him in bubble wrap through the off season will allow him to recover. Tua definitely needs to learn how to better protect himself, he won’t survive many more of that kind of hit.

  12. I doubt he’ll get a big second contract. I wouldn’t sign him to one after this year. Start looking at drafting a replacement. Tua can hold the job until the next one is ready, if he wants, but the organization should be looking elsewhere for the future.

  13. I know it’s a cultural thing, (Polynesian) and I mean no disrespect!
    However, Every interview I’ve heard of this kid he basically says his dad made him! He made him play, made him change his throwing arm to left handed, made him go to Al. And go pro! I hope he really takes a look at his future and if he feels good enough to play, es the one making the decision! Best of luck young man.

  14. But does Miami want to put in the time ,effort and money into a player one hit away from forced retirement ?

  15. I bet you any amount of money, Tua is not the only player suffered multiple concussions last year. I wonder how many other players had concussion/s that went undetected and/or not reported.

  16. Tue and family are going down a dangerous path. I think the Dolphins move on from him because they want ZERO liability at this point. He’s damaged goods.

  17. Cracks me up how all we have all these people talking about how Tua should retire and how he will be in danger for his health and future. Not a single one of you have any professional neurological medical knowledge and training yet you are all scared for him and saying he should retire! Give it a break, none of you could care less. You just want to jump on the narrative like everyone else.

  18. Largely swept under the rug, but Tua’s Dad beat him when he was in high school for throwing interceptions and losing games. Look it up.

  19. I played football from 8 years old through high school, and If I had a son, he would not be playing football under my permission. The fact that Tua’s parents have witnessed their child be taken off the field by stretcher after multiple concussions and still have the gall to pressure him by going through the media is disgusting. Unreal that strangers (fans) worry more about him than his family – but, as others mentioned, we don’t have financial gain.

  20. If anyone’s seen any profile pieces on his parents, then you know they’re the LAST people who care about Tua’s long-term or short term health. They just want him out there, and as long as he’s not limping and can throw they consider that 100% healthy

  21. Come one commenters. Where’s the same energy for Kenny Pickett? He was concussed twice this year and came back to play quickly after both times. Either these are trolls in here or the same 4 people with different names. Why no talk of Pickett?

  22. When an NFL player has a history of bad concussions,.. and warned about their future health,… they should be forced to sign a waiver to continue. The waiver would release the NFL and the team from future lawsuits against them. In this case,.. the family expecting Tua to continue playing smells like a love of the money.

  23. Sad to see it. I feel bad for the kid it seems like all the folks that should be looking out for him just want the money. Tua needs to retire so he can have some brains left. He has a long life ahead of him. The parents dont know what their talking about if hes STILL in protocol its NOT a good sign.

  24. You young fans never saw how crazy violent the NFL used to be. Many QBs played with a number of concussions throughout their career and before the flak jacket came out in 1978, most QBs dealt with rib injuries as well. Tua will probably comeback because he wants a big payday and if he plays well and earns it fine but if not, he could still make good money as a backup and hopefully have a loving wife that will take care of him the rest of his life …

  25. If I am the Miami Dolphins, I simply tell the kid to retire. If he chooses not to, it will be with a different team than the one I own or run. Why? Because then I can sleep at night with a clear conscience.

  26. I would tell his parents, when he starts to drool endlessly, its time to stop playing football.
    First these people arent doctors and if they arent concerned they dam well should be. All I know is he is one more concussion from Miami saying time to give it up heres a check for injury settlement in your contract.

  27. “We brought him into this world, we decide how, when.. and in what condition he leaves this world.”

  28. One big happy love fest down in South FLA…right up to the point when the Dolphins refuse to punch their golden ticket. Yep, there’s nothing like living vicariously through your children. Right Pops?

  29. Gilbera says:
    January 28, 2023 at 10:18 am
    I bet you any amount of money, Tua is not the only player suffered multiple concussions last year. I wonder how many other players had concussion/s that went undetected and/or not reported.

    481Rate This
    —————-
    Kenny Pickett had 2 this year

  30. change the name from concussion to BRAIN INJURY & then see how his parents view his career. Perhaps they would hesitate. Perhaps not. I’m old school. Been around football since the 60’s. But with what I know, and if he were my child I would highly recommend he retire.

  31. If you 2 in a year you sit the rest of the year. I don’t care if it’s the second week or the 17th. Somebody has to save these people from themselves. Also should be a mandatory percentage of oayout if they choose to retire.

  32. I know nothing of Tua’s medical evaluations, treatment, and prognosis. I hope, like I do for all injured players, that he blocks out the noise and makes an informed decision based on the professional medical advice given to him.

  33. Just spitballin’ here, but maybe, just maybe, these folks have actually spoken with the doctors and know more about the situation than all you PFT doctors out there.

  34. For all the armchair neurologist out there who fail to recognize the one person that ultimately makes the decision for Tua to play is Tua himself. He knows the risk & is well aware of the long-term effects of permanent brain injury. And with that knowledge & the advice of medical professionals NOT the self anointed uneducated home taught neurologist – he will make the choice to play or not!

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