Why Tua Tagovailoa's Injury Is More Than Just a Concussion

Real life is stranger than fiction, and sometimes it is unspeakably cruel—in this instance to Tua Tagovailoa. And Damar Hamlin. With growing awareness about the dangers of concussions, both short- and long-term, more people are thinking about whether the Miami Dolphin’s QB should ever play another snap in the NFL or not after tonight.

The Concussion

Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the "fencing posture" indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.pic.twitter.com/3Ur62QfBLH
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 13, 2024

America collectively held its breath as we watched Tua bury his head below the waist of the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin of all people. The QB’s neck bounced off of Hamlin in an angle that looked incompatible with physics and proceeded to bounce his head off the turf really, really hard. Hamlin was a wall of steel, and all of the force that Tua hit him with traveled through the QB’s brain as he hit the ground.

This incredibly scary experience happened as a result of Tua Tagovailoa hitting Damar Hamlin of all people. The same Bills’ player who temporarily died on the field due to cardiac arrest in 2023. The safety is just trying to play a solid game, and he has a QB attempt to decapitate himself on his thigh. How traumatic. In a post-game interview, he did mention that it did cause a flashback.

In addition to Damar Hamlin’s emotional state, Tua’s worrying post-concussion ‘fencing‘ response terrified everyone watching the game. We have all seen his prior concussions, and seeing his brain seemingly malfunction again sent shivers down spectators’s spines.

This sports medicine doctor had what felt like a semi-flippant response to the concussion. He indicated that someone having a fencing response does not mean it is more dangerous than head trauma without the unique posturing. The doctor also pointed out that we have no set number of concussions that are the ‘limit’ before someone should retire. Even if that is true medically, it certainly doesn’t feel that way. No concussion isn’t serious, but it can’t be healthy to continue sustaining brain trauma that causes the fencing posture. When is enough going to be enough? Only Tagovailoa can decide.

Tua Tagovailoa’s History of TBIs

Tua Tagovailoa exhibiting fencing post-concussion (Photo courtesy of TMZ Sports). This feels more scary and serious than a typical concussion.

Tagovailoa had one documented concussion in college. He also had two official and one suspected concussion in 2022. There was the ‘back injury’ in week 3, the week 4 concussion, and the week 16 concussion that he played through that was diagnosed post-game. Although sometimes brain trauma symptoms can be delayed, it’s also not uncommon for players to play through just about anything. It’s amazing he made it through the 2022-2023 season alive. He scared fans with some of the most contorted finger positions that most of us have ever seen as a result of a concussion. Many of us are remembering that terrifying injury when we recommend retirement now.

What’s On The Line

Obviously Tua’s health is on the line. He is just a little bit closer to the year he (most likely) will develop CTE. Wracking up all of these terrifying concussions is really putting his ‘get out of jail free’ brain trauma cards in short supply.

Which brings us to the next crucial thing on the line. As Shannon Sharpe pointed out, what’s the point of money if you can’t play with your kids? He said that we know more now about the impacts of brain trauma in this era of football, and Tua has to take this seriously. Especially since he is a married man and a father of two. He has to consider his toddler son Ace and his baby daughter Maisey. He shouldn’t be concerned about just staying alive to be their father and husband. Tua Tagovailoa should be worried about being mentally present for his family too. Something some of his NFL forefathers lost the ability to do when they were in their 30s.

Conclusion

Tua Tagovailoa has experienced his fourth diagnosed concussion since college (five for most of the audience that saw his ‘back injury’). He has exhibited the terrifying and rare phenomenon of fencing more than once post-concussion. In week 2 of the 2024-2025 season, he once again had strange posturing after hitting Damar Hamlin of all players. He was immediately removed, and everyone watching felt the gravity of the situation. Tagovailoa is loved by fans, teammates, coaches, and loved ones alike. No one wants to see him get any more hurt. Hopefully he very carefully considers his health before getting back on the gridiron.

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