Nick Saban on Tua Tagovailoa's possible retirement after repetitive brain injury: 'I hate it'

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's NFL future is uncertain after he suffered his third concussion in three years in Week 2. Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve on September 17 after the NFL's concussion protocol was not approved.

Professional athletes turned to peers and media experts Tagovailoa retired about his health and life.

Now his college coach has shared information about his conversations with the quarterback about his future in the NFL. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about Tagovailoa's recovery and future during an interview with Pat McAfee on Friday.

“I talked to Tua. It seems (good),” Saban said. “I talked to her right after. You know, it's okay. She's always positive and, you know, very enthusiastic. Terri (Saban's wife) talks to her mom a lot. You know, they're asking everyone to pray. Help him You know, if he really wants to play or get another chance, I think it's a medical decision.

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Saban revealed Tagovailoa's situation, and concerns about his brain health and career took an emotional toll on the former coach.

“But you know, Tua is the best. I mean, I hate it, I hate it for him, because he's a good guy who does everything right. He's the only player I've ever had. If you ask him, – How are you today? He said, “Great, thanks for asking.” I mean, every now and then you want to see people who, you know, don't have that kind of adversity, but hopefully he can overcome it.

According to many experts, on September 12, Tagovailoa was hit by Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a game against the Buffalo Bills, after which he fell to the turf in pain and began to show signs of a traumatic brain injury. Tagovailoa's concussion history includes two cases within a month of the 2022 season.

Tagovailoa's arms froze in what neurologists call a “fencing response” and a sign of head trauma.

Tua Tagovailoa's retirement could cost the Dolphins $124 million after leaning on GM Jiujitsu

His third injury forced the retirement of former NFL players, including former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, New York Giants and Broncos Hall of Famer and current ESPN host Shannon Sharpe, Super Bowl kicking champion Lawrence Tynes.

It's possible that team trainers and doctors will ultimately clear Tagovailoa to return to the field. In this case, he will have to decide whether to continue playing. There is also a possibility that doctors will not allow him to return.

If Tagovailo fails the concussion protocol for the third time in his NFL career, he could be forced to retire. If he retires, the Dolphins will have to pay a large portion of his $212.4 million contract.

The contract was signed until July CEO of Dolphin Chris Greer includes $167 million guaranteed. Tagovailoa has already earned $43 million of that salary and if he is forced to retire for health reasons, he will be eligible to collect the remaining $124 million.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) as he leaves the game with a concussion during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

However, if he is allowed to return and decides to retire anyway, he will lose the guaranteed money. In this case, he and the team must come to a compromise.

The deal was signed well after his three previous injuries, and even after he admitted he had considered retiring last season. But Greer once said Party press conference On Feb. 28, he wasn't concerned about the quarterback's injury history. Greer cited offseason jiujitsu training as a cure for the quarterback's concussion-related problems.

“Tua attacked the offseason looking to prove he could stay healthy. Spending time learning how to fall using jiujitsu and so on paid off,” he said.

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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he and the team “felt comfortable” using jiujitsu as a way to prevent concussions for the quarterback.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailo (1) throws against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Imagon)

“It's something we had different ideas about, and some of them I won't repeat because they weren't very good. “We are willing to go all the way,” McDaniel said. Party press conference February 28.

McDaniel told reporters this week that the quarterback will meet with brain health specialists during the team's bye week because he has not yet approved the concussion protocol. Asked if the team was advised to keep Tagovailoa longer even after allowing him to return, McDaniel said he “didn't hear anything negative” from the experts.

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