Former NFL players advise Tua Tagovailoa to consider retirement following recent concussion

A tragic but familiar scene played out at Hard Rock Stadium Thursday night.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion after rushing for a first down in the third quarter. Tagovailoa ran into Buffalo Bills defensive back DaMar Hamlin, hit his head on the ground and then appeared stunned.

Although he was able to walk off the field, Tagovailoa was later diagnosed with a concussion for the fourth time in his life.

Multiple current and former players reacted to the incident, with some calling for Tagovailoa to retire.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen addressed the incident in a post-game interview with the NFL on Prime Video panel.

“If you know Tua outside of football like I do, you can’t help but feel for him,” Allen said. “He’s a great football player, but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him. I’m just praying for him and his family and hoping everything is OK.”

Dolphins backup quarterback Skylar Thompson told reporters that the situation “makes me sick.”

“In my position, you never want to have your opportunity to come with something like that,” Thompson said. “You care about the person more than the player, and everybody in this organization would say the same thing.”

Hamlin also sent a message to Tagovailoa on social media and spoke to reporters about his after the game. In 2022, Hamlin’s heart stopped after a hit in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals and he was in an induced coma for two days. After returning as a part-time player last season, he has resumed a larger role with the Bills this year.

“It’s trauma. It will always be there,” Hamlin said, according to The Athletic. “I’m able to not be affected by it because of the work that I’ve done. I went through trauma therapy. I have a psychologist I talk to. It’s allowed me to push my mind forward, push my process forward.”

He later added: “I know he’s a dog. He’s a fighter. He’ll be back soon, for sure.”

Former NFL players are urging Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to seriously consider retirement following his recent concussion. The 23-year-old suffered the head injury during a game against the Buffalo Bills, raising concerns about his long-term health and well-being.

Former players like Brett Favre and Troy Aikman have spoken out about the dangers of playing through concussions and the importance of prioritizing one’s health over their career. Favre, who famously played through numerous injuries during his time in the league, has since become an advocate for player safety and concussion awareness.

Aikman, who was forced to retire early due to multiple concussions, knows firsthand the toll that head injuries can take on a player’s life after football. He has been vocal about the need for players to listen to their bodies and not take unnecessary risks when it comes to their health.

Tagovailoa, who has already dealt with injuries during his short time in the NFL, should take these warnings seriously and consider his long-term future in the league. While he is a talented young quarterback with a promising career ahead of him, his health should always come first.

Concussions are a serious issue in football, with long-term effects that can impact a player’s quality of life even after they retire. It’s important for players like Tagovailoa to prioritize their health and well-being over their career, no matter how bright their future may seem.

Ultimately, the decision to retire is a personal one that only Tagovailoa can make. But he should heed the advice of those who have been in his shoes and understand the risks involved in playing through head injuries. The former NFL players who are speaking out are doing so out of concern for Tagovailoa’s long-term health, and he would be wise to listen to their advice.