Concussion Expert Opines on the Future of Tua Tagovailoa
When Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the field during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills following another violent hit, many experts were quick to note that adopted the fencing posture after he hot the ground – meaning he was unconscious and the hit impacted deeper parts of his brain, a sign of a more serious concussion. It was a chilling flashback for many fans. In 2022, Tua was carted off the field after suffering a concussion just four days removed from a previous suspected concussion.
Over the last few days, the football community has had many questions. How many concussions is too many? Should the NFL force Tua to retire? What are the risks for his long-term health?
Concussion Legacy Foundation CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski was quick to address some of those questions. His insights are below:
How many concussions can an athlete suffer before thinking about retirement?
There is no magic number of concussions to require retirement. Having too many concussions, however, can lead to chronic symptoms and is correlated with an increased risk of cognitive issues, mental health problems, and even high blood pressure.
Does having more diagnosed concussions increase your risk for CTE?
There isn’t a statistical correlation between the number of diagnosed concussions and CTE. However, CTE is still a concern. It is caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries and 91.7% of NFL players studied have had the disease. Many of those athletes never had a diagnosed concussion.
Would the situation be different if Tua wore a Guardian Cap?
A Guardian Cap wouldn’t necessarily have fixed this problem. Tua’s head was going to move no matter what he was wearing, and a study on the NFL Guardian Cap has yet to be published. We have to think beyond Guardian Caps; equipment alone isn’t going to save players from these types of serious brain injuries.
Should Tua Tagovailoa retire from football?
That decision will be Tua’s, based on conversations with his doctors and his family. While many are calling for his retirement, he does not have a lot of clear science on which to base this decision. If he recovers quickly, based on public information, I personally wouldn’t suggest he needs to retire. Other athletes – Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron is a great example – have long, successful careers after major concussions. But I would strongly suggest a conversation with his family where he reviews the current science and considers whether the risks are still worth the benefits.
He should consider the risks that come with concussions, including developing post-concussion syndrome or a new mental health disorder. Beyond concussion, each year of playing football increases the odds of developing CTE – but we can’t tell him his personal risk of developing CTE. It’s important to remember that we only have one brain, and once it’s damaged, we don’t necessarily know how to fix it.
Tua is a superb football player, and he is an adult who can and will choose his own path. I wish him the best, and hope this moment helps educate the public so we can continue to solve the sports concussion crisis.
It’s important to remember Tua is not the only athlete in concussion recovery right now. The CLF HelpLine is a free resource here for all patients and families navigating life after brain injury.