Listen Now! Concussion expert explains brain injuries, what Tua Tagovailoa's future may hold

When I first saw Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion last Thursday against the Buffalo Bills, so many thoughts came to mind.

Should he have retired two years ago?

Is it coincidental that the two concussions he’s had with locked finger — called the fencing position — both occurred on short weeks on "Thursday Night Football?"

Despite having a custom helmet designed to protect him from concussions, this wasn’t his head slamming into the ground, but his head being jammed into the midsection of a defender.

And what an incredibly odd coincidence that this concussion happened against Damar Hamlin, who himself was dead on a football field two years ago before being revived.

No matter how you look at it, it’s just awful.

Everyone is wondering what Tua should do next.

If you’re wondering about the big contract he signed just before the season, to the tune of four years and $212.4 million, he’d still take home a big chunk of that money if he walked away from football.

Here’s how it would work:

The deal includes $167 million guaranteed for injury, $43 million of which has been paid in 2024.

If he's medically cleared to return to football, but opts to retire, he will forego the remaining $124 million guaranteed, barring a custom settlement.

If he's medically forced into retirement, he has a right to collect the $124 million remaining.

It’s a lot to think about. But how clear is his mind right now to make that type of decision?

On the latest episode of “The *State* of Florida Sports Podcast,” I welcome  in Dr. Frank Webbe, professor emeritus at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

Webbe is a professor of psychology and behavior analysis, as well as research director of the East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic for more than 25 years.

He also is one of the pioneers in sports-related concussions.

Webbe initiated a program of study in sports-related concussions in the late 1980s, well before it was the hot-button topic it’s become over the past decade.

He’ll teach us more about concussions, brain chemistry, long-term effects and much more.

He’ll also tell us what type of advice he might give Tua about his future playing football.

It’s a tough topic, and it’s one a lot of people have discussed and given their takes on. Yet, very few, if any, have the type of expertise of Dr. Webbe.

Find out why hundreds of thousands of fans have checked us out and why our guests and journalists give you the best sports breakdowns in the state.

We can be downloaded wherever you listen to podcasts, or simply type in “The *State* of Florida Sports Podcast” into your favorite search engine. We also can be found on any of the 17 USA TODAY-Network Florida websites.

If you like it, you can check out previous shows, which feature current and former professional athletes and coaches, as well as our stable of journalists who cover beats and write columns, all of whom have a tie to the Sunshine State.

Walters can be reached at twalters@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Listen Now! Concussion expert explains brain injuries, what Tua Tagovailoa's future may hold