TUA Tagovailoa apparently has no plans to retire despite another concussion.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback, 26, was pulled out of Thursday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills after another sickening head injury.

Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion Thursday night in Miami’s loss to BuffaloCredit: Getty

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Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel kisses Tua on the side of his head after he was forced outCredit: Getty
The word from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is that the latest concussion will not force Tagovailoa into retirement.

The fifth-year star has a lot to evaluate in making a decision on his football future.

Simply put, Tagovailoa loves the game.

He made that clear after missing five games in the 2022 season due to concussion.

“I love the game of football, and if I didn’t, I would have quit a long time ago,” Tua said.

Then there’s the financials of making such a dramatic decision.

Miami signed him up to a four-year, $212.4 million contract this summer.

But Tagovailoa would have to miss out on a lot of that cash if he retires voluntarily.

Even with the $42 million he’s collected in signing bonus and money guaranteed against injuries, the 26-year-old would still be passing up on $124 million.

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Perhaps the most important thing to consider is his own long-term health, and making the right decision for his family.

Age 26 is very early to give up on your career dreams and aspirations.

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck retired abruptly aged 29 after seven injury-ravaged seasons under center.

“I’ve been stuck in this process,” he said when he called it quits in 2019.

“I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live. It’s taken the joy out of this game.

‘I wanted him to walk’

Tua Tagovailoa’s childhood friend Manti Te’o fought back tears the morning after his scary concussion.

Te’o was appearing on Good Morning Football when he struggled to contain his emotions.

“That was hard [to watch],” a choked-up Te’o said.

“What people have to understand, this is just a game. Then there is life.

“And when you watch that happen to a man you’ve known since you were a little boy, is it hard for me? Yeah.”

“After he suffered against the Bengals, I wanted him to walk.”

“The only way forward for me is to remove myself from football.

“This is not an easy decision – it’s the hardest decision of my life.

“But it is the right decision for me.”

Luck gave very few interviews when he retired and lived an incredibly private life.

An article in ESPN in 2022 claimed Luck’s relationship was also strained by his NFL career and he ultimately chose to save his marriage.

Tua will have no doubt considered the family implications of carrying on playing football.

At 26, he’s understandably not ready to walk away from the game he loves and is following his heart.

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The quarterback suffered two concussions in 2022 – including against the Cincinnati BengalsCredit: Reuters