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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's latest concussion has sparked a heated debate about his future in the NFL, with several former players urging the 26-year-old to consider retirement.
During Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa suffered his third diagnosed concussion in three years. The incident occurred in the third quarter when he attempted a head-first dive and collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Teammates immediately called for medical assistance as Tagovailoa appeared dazed on the field.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez didn't mince words on Prime Video's postgame show. "I'm thinking retirement," Gonzalez stated bluntly. "This is something that can affect you long-term. For me, it's time to move on."
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III echoed these sentiments on social media, writing, "Really just praying for Tua's long term health. Another concussion puts him at 3 officially and countless other scares. Think of the person not just the player."
Dez Bryant, the former All-Pro wide receiver, called for immediate action from the league. "NFL go ahead and do the right thing," Bryant urged on X. "Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He need to retire for his longevity health concerns."
This latest incident brings Tagovailoa's concussion tally to three official diagnoses, not including a controversial "back injury" in Week 3 of the 2022 season that led to the firing of an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tagovailoa's former teammate, added his voice to the chorus of concern, stating he would "seriously" consider retirement if faced with a similar situation.
Tagovailoa's history with head injuries is well-documented. In 2023, he admitted to contemplating retirement after multiple concussions in the previous season. "Yeah, I think I considered it, you know, for a time, having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kind of conversations," Tagovailoa revealed to the New York Post.
However, the allure of the game and his dreams for his son kept him on the field. "It would be hard for me to walk away from this game with how old I am and with my son," he explained. "I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to the point where my son knew what he's watching."
