Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear on Friday that he is not entertaining discussions about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s potential retirement after yet another serious concussion during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa, who has faced multiple head injuries throughout his young career, exited the game in the third quarter after a frightening collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. The incident has sparked widespread concern among NFL fans, players, and analysts, many of whom are urging the quarterback to consider walking away from the game for the sake of his long-term health.
Checking out #MiamiDolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s strong response when the topic of a possible Tua Tagovailoa retirement is brought up.https://t.co/D7Z1fdUYNY
— Alain Poupart (@PoupartNFL) September 14, 2024
When asked about the possibility of retirement for Tagovailoa, McDaniel was firm in his stance that it would be inappropriate to comment on the quarterback’s future at this time. “I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject,” McDaniel said during a press conference on Friday morning. “It’s more in line with actually caring about the human being. You’re talking about his career, and his career is his own decision. I totally understand where people are coming from, but bringing up his future is not in his best interest right now.”
McDaniel went on to explain that speculating about Tagovailoa’s career could do more harm than good, especially with the player still recovering from his latest injury. He emphasized that making public comments about retirement could have a negative impact on the quarterback, whether he agrees or disagrees with the opinions being shared. “If I were to answer that question, I’d be like, ‘This is my thought on his career,’ and he would read it. If he agreed with it or disagreed with it, either way, I’ve just made him worse,” McDaniel added. “So, I’m not taking this opportunity, because it’s not appropriate. I care about him as a person, and I think the decision about his career should be entirely his.”
Tagovailoa’s latest concussion adds to an alarming history of head injuries that have put his future in the NFL under scrutiny. Last season, he suffered a significant head injury during a game against the Buffalo Bills, where he was visibly shaken and stumbled after a hard hit. Initially, the Dolphins attributed the incident to a back injury, allowing Tagovailoa to continue playing just days later in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that game, Tagovailoa was tackled violently, resulting in a disturbing scene where his hands curled up—a symptom often associated with traumatic brain injuries. He was carted off the field and later diagnosed with a concussion.
Tagovailoa’s troubling history with concussions continued when he suffered another head injury late last season in a game against the Green Bay Packers, which forced him to sit out the remainder of the season. The recurring nature of his injuries has fueled discussions about whether he should consider stepping away from the game before sustaining any more long-term damage.
Despite these concerns, McDaniel remains focused on supporting Tagovailoa through his recovery rather than speculating about his future. He reiterated that decisions regarding the quarterback’s career should be made solely by Tagovailoa himself, with careful consideration of his health and well-being.
The quarterback’s head injuries have also reignited debates about the NFL’s handling of concussions and player safety. The league has faced criticism in recent years for how it manages head trauma, especially after several high-profile cases of former players suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries. Tagovailoa’s situation is being closely watched as a reminder of the inherent dangers of the sport.
Some believe that Tua Tagovailoa, after his third diagnosed on-field concussion since 2022, should consider retirement. Mike McDaniel counters that “his career is his.”… https://t.co/iqvF5czPCY
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) September 14, 2024
As of now, there is no official word on how long Tagovailoa will be sidelined following his latest injury. While his desire to continue playing is clear, it is uncertain whether medical professionals, coaches, and his support system will eventually urge him to consider stepping away from the game.
Key Points:
i. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel refused to discuss quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s potential retirement following his latest concussion during Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
ii. McDaniel emphasized that discussing Tagovailoa’s career at this time would be harmful, focusing instead on supporting the player through his recovery.
iii. Tagovailoa has a history of significant concussions, including a disturbing incident last season where he displayed symptoms of severe head trauma after a hit during a game against the Bengals.
iv. The recurring nature of Tagovailoa’s head injuries has raised concerns about his long-term health and sparked calls for him to consider retirement.
v. McDaniel stressed that the decision about Tagovailoa’s future should be left to the quarterback himself, prioritizing his health and well-being over outside speculation.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News