Tua Tagovailoa Reveals What Kept Him From Retiring After Multiple Head Injuries
After suffering multiple concussions during the 2022 NFL season, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa admitted on Wednesday that he contemplated retiring from football due to the rash of head injuries.
“I considered it for a time,” said Tagovailoa. “Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kinds of conversations. Really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game.”
The 25-year-old former first-round pick cited his young age as well as having the ability to have his son see him play.
”I always dreamed of growing and playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do.”
Tua Tagovailoa says he discussed the idea of retiring from football after the season with family but he decided to keep playing. He says this is his health and life. He thinks this is what’s best for him & his family. pic.twitter.com/6LfHd1RxwA
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 19, 2023
Tagovailoa missed five games last season after he suffered multiple concussions, including the Dolphins’ wild-card playoff game against the AFC East rival Bills. The fourth-year quarterback, who is 21–13 in his NFL career as a starter, witnessed the club display strong faith in him when they chose to pick up his $23.2 million fifth-year option on March 20.
In 36 career games, Tagovailoa has thrown for 8,015 yards and 52 touchdowns on the strength of owning a solid 65.7% completion percentage. After rushing for six touchdowns over his first two seasons, injuries prevented the versatile signal-caller from finding the end zone on the ground in 2022, en route to rushing for a career-low 70 yards.
“It’s my health. It’s my body. I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football.”