NFL fans react to Tua Tagovailoa’s ‘terrible decision’ following concussion

Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to walk away from the NFL, according to sources.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback suffered the third official — but potentially fourth — diagnosed concussion of his pro career during Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Numerous former NFL pros including Dez Bryant and Shannon Sharpe called for the 26-year-old to retire from the sport in order to protect his future health, not just for himself, but for his friends and family’s sake, too.

However, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Tua currently has ‘no plans’ to retire.

Rapoport tweeted on Sunday: “QB Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to retire, sources say.

“He’s already begun seeing concussion specialists and will continue to do so, but there is no timeline to return. Tua will be back when he and his doctors deem him healthy and ready.”

Fans reacted to the latest Tua update on social media, with some calling his decision to carry on playing ‘terrible’.

‘Terrible decision,” commented one fan.

“I ain’t a doctor, but I find it hard to believe that man should be anywhere near a football field,” another added.

“With all due respect, what an idiotic decision. Think of your family man. You already have your money.”

“I’m honestly a little surprised by this. For all of you that say “look at that contract bro”, yeah, I understand that it’s a lot of money But we’re talking about this man’s life and longevity. I hope the specialists get it right here, there are life-altering ramifications.”

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Others, however, argued it’s a complicated issue that is ultimately Tua’s to decide.

“His body his choice. He’s not going to do anything to hurt his longtime health,” argued one fan.

“Obviously everybody’s concerned for good reason, but let the man live his life. It’s hard to quit on something that’s been a major part of his life since he was a kid,” a second added.

“Just as worried about Tua as everyone else, but at what point is it my right to tell another grown man how to live his life?” a third posted.

In an earlier report, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Tua plans to meet with neurologists early this week to learn more about the severity of the concussion he suffered.

Tua is reportedly seeking to find out the cumulative impact of his concussions in the past to make the most informed decision moving forward.

The latest gut-wrenching concussion occurred during the third quarter of the Dolphins’ defeat to the Bills.

Tagovailoa was hit hard by Bills safety Damar Hamlin on a fourth down play and immediately displayed “fencing” symptoms — an involuntary “hands up” response that follows a concussion and related head trauma — as his hands became stiff.

Luckily, the QB, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Dolphins in July, was able to walk off the field with help of medical staff.

The fifth-year pro has a history of concerning concussions throughout his NFL career.

Tagovailoa missed five games in 2022, including a playoff game, due to concussions.

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He was stretchered off the field against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 and missed two games. On Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers, he was was concussed and missed the remainder of the season.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has thrown for 13,122 passing yards, 83 touchdowns and 40 interceptions in 55 games played.

There is no current timeline for his return and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is putting zero pressure on his QB1 to return any time soon.

“I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject, and it’s more in line of actually caring about the human being,” McDaniel told reporters on Friday.

“You’re talking about his career, you know? I just wish that people would hear what I’m saying; that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him.

“So I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care, that should be the last thing on your mind.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate … when you’re talking about someone’s career, I think it probably is only fair that their career should be decided by them.”

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