Sports
Tua Tagovailoa’s Career in Jeopardy? Raiders Coach Suggests Resignation After Concussion
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce expressed deep concern for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered another concussion during Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The incident occurred in the third quarter when Tagovailoa dove for a first down and was hit in the head by Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Following the hit, the 26-year-old stayed on the ground at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and was quickly attended to by Dolphins medical staff. He eventually walked off the field under his own power but was replaced by backup quarterback Skylar Thompson for the remainder of the game.
After the game, Pierce addressed the seriousness of Tagovailoa’s injury and stated that, if he were in Tagovailoa’s position, he would consider retiring from the NFL. “I would tell him to retire, it’s not worth it,” Pierce told reporters on Friday. “I haven’t seen anything like what’s happened to him before. Scary. You could see right away the concern on the players’ faces and the urgency to get him help.”
Tagovailoa has a history of concussions, with multiple incidents occurring during the 2022 season. This latest injury has once again raised concerns about his long-term health and safety. In April 2023, Tagovailoa publicly admitted that he had contemplated walking away from football due to the recurring concussion issues.
Pierce highlighted that while football is important, Tagovailoa’s future and well-being are far more significant. “At some point, he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football,” Pierce added. “He needs to take care of himself and his family.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also weighed in on the situation, stating that his primary focus is on Tagovailoa’s recovery rather than his future in football. “It’s important that he gets healthy day by day,” McDaniel said in a video conference on Friday. He avoided addressing speculation about whether Tagovailoa might consider retiring, noting that such a decision is deeply personal and should be made in consultation with medical experts.
Ultimately, McDaniel emphasized that Tua’s well-being is the top priority, and any decisions about his career will be made with his input and expert advice from medical professionals specializing in neuroscience.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce made a strong statement regarding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered another concussion during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Pierce expressed serious concern for Tagovailoa’s health, urging him to consider retirement from the NFL for his long-term well-being. “I would tell him to retire, it’s not worth it,” Pierce told reporters on Friday. “I haven’t witnessed anything like what’s happened to him three times. Scary. You can see right away the players’ faces on the field. You can see the sense of urgency from everybody to get Tua help.”
Tagovailoa’s concussion during the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 31-10 loss to the Bills raised alarms once again. He was hit in the head by Bills safety Damar Hamlin while diving for a first down, prompting Dolphins trainers to rush to his side. Tagovailoa, who has a history of concussions dating back to the 2022 season, walked off the field under his own power but was replaced by backup quarterback Skylar Thompson.
Pierce’s comments reflected the growing concern for Tagovailoa’s safety, especially given his history of head injuries. In April 2023, Tagovailoa admitted he had considered walking away from football due to the concussion issues he faced the previous season. Pierce believes that stepping away from the game may be in Tagovailoa’s best interest, saying, “At some point, he’s going to live longer than he is going to play football. Take care of your family.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, on the other hand, emphasized that his primary focus is on Tagovailoa’s recovery and well-being rather than any speculation about his football future. “It’s important that he gets healthy day by day,” McDaniel said in a video conference on Friday. He made it clear that it would be inappropriate to speculate on whether Tagovailoa is considering retirement, saying, “I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject. His career is his.”
McDaniel reiterated that the most important factor is Tagovailoa’s health and what he ultimately wants to do with his career. “His opinion and what he wants to do with his life and his career, coupled with the experts in neuroscience, are the driving forces behind those decisions,” McDaniel concluded.
