“This game is going to hurt you”: Former NFL MVP pushes for Tua Tagovailoa’s retirement after 3rd concussion
In the Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third concussion of his NFL career and has since been placed on the injured reserve list. Tagovailoa will miss at least four games. That said, former NFL MVP Cam Newton suggested that he should retire.
On Tuesday, Newton talked about this on his "4th and 1" podcast. He dove deep into the serious topic concerning the Dolphins QB.
“You could die,” said Newton. “You could have a season-ending or a career-ending injury. We understand that. Everybody who plays this game understands [this].”
Newton then said that Tua Tagovailoa should consider the opinions of his loved ones and family members before making any call on his future.
“Tua Tagovailoa? He’s injured. Now we have to consider a lot of different things. Not just from Tua’s perspective. What about his wife, his father, his brother, his sister, his friends? Because that’s somebody who’s gonna allow him to listen. Bro, I don’t wanna keep seeing you like this.”
Newton added that some former NFL stars have faced this situation. The three-time Pro Bowler said that he worries about CTE and its impact before he gave his advice for him.
"We don’t know the side effects when you’re 60, or 70 years old. This game is going to hurt you."
“If you ask me what I would do? I would really consider walking away. You play this game to be able to take care of your family.”
Neither the Dolphins nor Tagovailoa and his team have given an update about his future.
A neurosurgeon suggests Tua Tagovailoa could face more concussions
Miami-based neurosurgeon Dr. Evan Packer was interviewed by the Miami Herald on Monday to learn more about the condition and future of Tua Tagovailoa.
“My guess is he’s far more likely to be susceptible to future [concussions],” Packer said. “Every time a concussion occurs, it results in a major neurological outcome."
"He has this huge response to hits that are relatively minor. You see quarterbacks taking far worse hits than Tua.”
However, Dr. Packer did not comment on whether the QB should retire or not. He said that is a personal matter for Tagovailoa.