Tua Tagovailoa concussion controversy
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After Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, suffered a series of head injuries during the 2022 and 2024 NFL seasons, controversy ensued in the resulting responses and debates among medical experts, sports figures, and fans surrounding how they were handled. These incidents led to significant changes in the NFL's concussion protocols and sparked widespread discussion about player safety in professional football, especially in the context of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)'s prevalence in veteran NFL players.
Week 3 vs the Buffalo Bills
During week 3 of the 2022 NFL season, Tagovailoa sustained his first controversial head injury in a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 25, 2022. Tagovailoa's head struck the turf on a play during which a roughing the passer penalty was called against Bills linebacker Matt Milano. After standing up, Tagovailoa exhibited ataxia, shaking his head and falling to his hands and knees a few seconds later. Despite these symptoms, which would later become mandatory removal criteria, and despite Tagovailoa initially being evaluated for a head injury, Tagovailoa returned to play in the second half after his team attributed his unsteady movements to back spasms.[1][2]
Week 4 vs the Cincinnati Bengals
The situation escalated dramatically just four days later during a week 4 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being listed as questionable with back and ankle injuries, Tagovailoa started the game while the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) was still investigating the previous week's incident. During the game, Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou tackled Tagovailoa, causing him to exhibit a fencing response—a neurological reaction characterized by rigidly flexed arms—after hitting the ground. This incident, broadcast in prime time, generated significant public outcry regarding player safety protocols.[1]
Week 16 vs the Green Bay Packers
A third head trauma incident occurred during a week 16 Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers. Despite sustaining another impact where his head hit the turf before halftime, Tagovailoa remained in the game, subsequently showing a greatly worsened standard of play and throwing three interceptions in the second half. The injury went undetected by both team medical staff and league spotters, only being diagnosed days later. This incident reignited discussions about player safety, with notable NFL figures like Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III publicly advocating for Tagovailoa to consider ending his season or career over health concerns.[1]
Aftermath
The cumulative effect of these incidents resulted in Tagovailoa missing multiple games throughout the season due to concussion protocols. As a result, he was ruled out of the Dolphins' first playoff appearance since 2016, a wild card round game against the Buffalo Bills.[1] The Dolphins appointed veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater interim starter during Tagovailoa's absence.[3] Following the 2022 season, Tagovailoa revealed considering retirement after family discussions, particularly at his mother's urging. Instead, he dedicated his offseason to preventative measures, including jiu-jitsu training to develop safer falling techniques.[4]
2024 NFL season
Tagovailoa did not miss any games during the 2023 NFL season.[4] In that season, he led the NFL in passing yards and helped bring the 2023 Dolphins to their best record (11–6) since 2008. During the 2024 off-season, the Miami Dolphins agreed to grant Tagovailoa a four-year contract extension valued at $212.4 million.[2]
Week 2 vs the Buffalo Bills
During a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills that ended in a 31–10 defeat, Tagovailoa sustained his third diagnosed NFL concussion. The incident occurred during a third-quarter play when Tagovailoa lowered his head and forcibly contacted Bills safety Damar Hamlin's forearm, causing his head to be violently jerked and resulting in a fencing response similar to the one he exhibited during the 2022 Thursday Night Football game against the Bengals.[4][3]
Medical personnel attended to Tagovailoa as teammates knelt nearby. Though able to exit the field independently, he was promptly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson, positioned near Tagovailoa during the incident, noted that the quarterback's eyes indicated he "wasn't there all the way," prompting Jackson to immediately take a knee.[4] The concussion also drew immediate concern from the Bills organization, with head coach Sean McDermott expressing his prayers for Tagovailoa and his family following the game. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, emphasizing Tagovailoa's character beyond his athletic abilities, called for community support during his recovery.[4]
Aftermath and response
In the post-game conference, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reported that Tagovailoa was in "good spirits" but refrained from speculating about future implications. McDaniel emphasized a day-by-day approach to evaluation, stating that timeline considerations were secondary to Tagovailoa's immediate welfare. McDaniel later addressed questions about Tagovailoa's safety to continue playing football by deferring to medical expertise and appropriate evaluation procedures.[4]
Additional reporting following the game revealed a previously undisclosed concussion from Tagovailoa's collegiate career at Alabama in 2019. This injury had occurred simultaneously with a season-ending hip injury, bringing his total to four documented concussions over a five-year span from 2019 to 2024.[4][3]
Third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson assumed quarterback duties following Tagovailoa's exit.[4] Six weeks after the concussion, Tagovailoa returned to play despite calls from NFL figures and sports pundits for him to sit out longer or to retire for his long-term health.[5]
