Tua Tagovailoa Faces Intense Pressure to Retire After Suffering Third Concussion

Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback and the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, recently suffered his third diagnosed concussion in three seasons during the third quarter of a game on Thursday, September 12. Though he was able to leave the field on his own power, the injury has sidelined him, with the Dolphins placing him on injured reserve. This means Tua will miss at least four games, allowing him time to recover fully.

The repeated head injuries have sparked public concern, with many fans and former players urging Tua to consider retiring for the sake of his long-term health. They’ve pointed to his growing family, including his wife and two children, as reasons for him to think about his future beyond football. Despite these calls, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expressed confidence in Tua’s resilience and determination to continue playing, saying, “I don’t think for a second he’s second-guessing.”

Adding complexity to the situation is the lucrative contract extension Tua signed just two months ago, the largest in Dolphins’ history, though it reportedly includes a team insurance policy. Beyond football, Tua comes from a proud Samoan heritage, and his younger brother, Taulia Tagovailoa, is also making his mark as a football player.