Tua Discusses Retirement Thoughts; Why He's Back
Serious injuries oftentimes force us to consider making life-changing decisions, and that appeared to be what Tua Tagovailoa was pondering late last season.
In his first formal press conference since he was diagnosed with his second concussion late last season, the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback admitted he considered retiring from football during his rehab process.
"Yeah, I think I considered it for a time, having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kinds of conversations. But, really, it would be hard for me to to walk away from this game with how old I am," Tagovailoa said about the aftermath of the concussion he suffered in Miami’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay on Christmas Day.
That was the second concussion he suffered last season, and the third injury that was a byproduct of a hit from a defender in 2022, the other coming against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.
"I mean, with my son, I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do,” Tagovailoa said, pointed out one of his career goals was to play football long enough for his infant son, Ace, to watch him play, and be aware of what he’s accomplished.
That’s his goal, and one of his motivations to continue playing, and the 25-year-old is doing everything in his power to ensure he can play another 10 or so seasons.
Tagovailoa has taken jiu-jitsu classes, specifically to learn how to fall better.
"I'm learning how to fall. You think it's easy, just don't fall and hit your head. There's a lot more to it," Tagovailoa said about jiu-jitsu. "It's about how to disperse your energy when you fall."
WHAT TUA HAS DONE SINCE THE END OF THE SEASON
Tua has consulted numerous specialists about head injuries, and how to prevent them.
He’s advocated for the clearance of a new helmet that’s supposed to support quarterbacks better when it comes to head injuries. Last week the NFL and NFLPA approved the helmet's use.
“It’s my health. My body,” Tagovailoa said. “I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football. If I didn't, I would have quit a long time (ago)."
It’s also what’s best for the franchise considering when healthy Tagovailoa was part of the MVP conversation when the Dolphins were off to an 8-3 start.
He finished the year as the league’s top-rated passer, and set the pace for all quarterbacks in a number of important statistical categories.
Tagovailoa admitted he wasn’t sure how close he was to being cleared to play in the playoffs back in January. But if asked, he said he would have stepped up to the challenge.
Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier said the team was following the NFL’s protocol when they held him out, and Tagovailoa never got to the point where playing was an option.
However, after talking to numerous specialists, the Dolphins were confident his health wasn’t going to be a factor moving forward.
According to Tagovailoa, he was told there was no need to connect the concussion he suffered to having the effects of CTE later on in his life.
“They told me that CTE wasn’t going to be a problem. It’s only when you’re constantly hitting your head against something,” Tagovailoa said. “I think (CTE) tailors more towards linebackers, O-linemen, D-linemen, guys that are constantly going at it. That also played into the factor of my decision-making, and wanting to come back and play.”
The Dolphins picked up Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option, committing to pay the 2020 first-round pick $23.2 million in the 2024 season. Grier also said he hasn’t ruled out doing a long-term extension before then.
“We have all the faith in the world in him,” said Marvin Allen, the Dolphins’ assistant general manager. "He’s our quarterback and we think moving forward he’s going to be the quarterback who gets us to where we want to go.”
Tagovailoa’s focus is on maximizing this season and leading the Dolphins to the franchise’s first back-to-back postseason berths since the 2000-2001 seasons.
This will be the first season since Tagovailoa’s high school playing days he’ll be in the exact same offense, and he’s excited about the prospects of building on the foundation laid last season. He’s also encouraged by the changes to the roster Miami has made this offseason.
“This is a new year, new team for us and we’re all really excited,” said Tagovailoa, who owns a 21-13 record as an NFL starter. “It’s cool to have a lot of the big names in the locker room now.”
