Tua Tagovailoa’s football future once again debated after latest concussion

Following another concussion, this time on Thursday in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, the football future of Tua Tagovailoa again became a topic of debate on Friday.

Tagovailoa’s collegiate career at Alabama came to an end in 2019 after he fractured his hip in a game against Mississippi State on Nov. 16, 2019. Additionally, he suffered a broken nose and a concussion.

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Tagovailoa suffered two official concussions in the 2022 NFL season, putting his football future in jeopardy. After briefly contemplating retirement, he returned in 2023 and played in all 17 regular season games, leading the league with 4,624 passing yards en route to a $212.4 million contract extension.

On Thursday, Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in as many seasons, briefly losing consciousness and exiting the game.

Across the football world, a multitude of perspectives were offered on Friday with regard to what Tagovailoa should do next, with many suggesting retirement.

“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Las Vegas Raiders head coach and former NFL linebacker Antonio Pierce said when asked about Tagovailoa on Friday.

Former NFL players such as Dez Bryant and Shannon Sharpe also suggested Tagovailoa considered hanging up his cleats.

Meanwhile, Nick Saban, Tagovailoa’s college coach, thinks the decision should be more nuanced.

“I think this has to be a medical decision,” Saban said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday. “You have to let medical people who understand the circumstances surrounding these injuries, these concussions, and when you have multiple concussions, that’s not a good sign. I think Tua and his family and everyone else should listen to all the medical evidence to make sure you’re not compromising your future health wise by continuing to play football.”

Tagovailoa’s current coach, Mike McDaniel, said on Friday that bringing up Tagovailoa’s future is currently not a productive strategy and that the 26-year-old should focus on being a father to his two children this weekend.

“I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying, that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him,” McDanielsaid. “I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care that that should be the last thing on your mind.”

Meanwhile, Laie native Manti Te’o got emotional when discussing Tagovailoa’s career on a Friday morning appearance on Good Morning Football, expressing concern for his long term health.

“This is just a game, and then there’s life,” Te’o said.