Calls grow for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to retire as he sustains another concussion

 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa lays on the ground after colliding with a Bills defender during a Thursday night game.

It was a routine first-down run, the kind quarterbacks make every week in the NFL. But Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa dove headfirst into the tackle, and the impact against the defender's chest caused his head to snap violently to the left. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground, his right fist clenched and raised—a troubling sign often associated with brain injury.

Later that Thursday night, the Dolphins confirmed what many feared: Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion. For the 26-year-old quarterback, it was another grim chapter in a career increasingly overshadowed by concerns over his history of head trauma.

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Tagovailoa's latest concussion has sparked a strong reaction from fans and former players, many urging him to step away from football. Their calls reflect the growing awareness in the U.S. of the long-term brain damage that can result from repeated head injuries.

"If I were him, I'd seriously be thinking about retirement. If it were my son, I'd say, 'It might be time.' You don’t mess around with this," said Tony Gonzalez, Hall of Fame tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, while analyzing the game on Amazon Prime.

Similar sentiments spread across social media. "For his long-term health, he needs to retire," wrote former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

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"Really hope Tua is okay, but he’s got to seriously think about shutting it down," said former Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe. "His concussions are getting worse, and he’s a young man with his whole life ahead of him."

Concussions and repeated head trauma are major risk factors for long-term brain injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition that can lead to early dementia and even death.

"There isn’t a set number of concussions that mandates retirement," said Chris Nowinski, a former football player and wrestler turned neuroscientist, who now leads the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

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"It all depends on how he recovers from this one, but too many concussions can lead to chronic symptoms and mental health disorders," Nowinski wrote on the social media platform X. "He's in a really tough spot."

A few NFL players have retired early due to concerns over their neurological health, including All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, who walked away after just one season in the league.

"With Tua, there's the extra pressure of being the franchise star, the player the team is building around," Borland told NPR in 2022. "It’s crucial that players are better protected because, left to our own devices, we’d do anything to get back on the field, driven by countless incentives."

Tagovailoa walked off the field under his own power after sustaining a concussion during Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills.

In 2022, the NFL revised its concussion evaluation protocol after Tagovailoa was allowed to return to a game despite showing signs of a head injury. Cleared by medical evaluation, he played again just four days later, suffering another head impact, this time with a confirmed concussion. Weeks later, he sustained a third concussion and missed the remainder of the season.

Determined to reduce his vulnerability to concussions, Tagovailoa spent the 2023 offseason training in jiu jitsu, learning how to roll his body during falls to protect his head from hitting the ground.

The results were remarkable. He led the league in passing yards and guided the Dolphins to an 11-6 record, their best since 2008. In July, his efforts were rewarded with a $212 million contract extension.

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If Tagovailoa chooses to retire, how much of his compensation he receives will depend on whether he is medically cleared to return to football.

If he is cleared to play but retires voluntarily, he will forfeit $124 million. However, if he is medically forced into retirement, he will still collect that amount, according to Spotrac, a site that tracks professional sports contracts.

Following the hit in Thursday's game, Tagovailoa walked off the field without assistance, and the Dolphins reported that he was able to speak with medical staff in the locker room.

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On Friday, head coach Mike McDaniel refrained from speculating on a timeline for Tagovailoa's return. "The best thing I can do is avoid assessing what this means from a football standpoint," McDaniel said. "Setting timelines or evaluating what this means for playing—this is serious stuff."

As of Friday morning, Tagovailoa had not made any public statements regarding his options.

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