Tua Tagovailoa is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League who recently has suffered a concussion on September 30 after being sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou in the second quarter. The 24-year-old lay motionless on the field for several minutes before he was placed on a backboard and stretcher.
“Based on the advice of the parties’ respective medical experts, the Protocol will be modified to enhance the safety of the players,” the National Football League and the NFL Players Association said in a joint statement.
What Happened To Tua Tagovailoa’s Head?
Following a review of the league’s response to Tua Tagovailoa’s apparent head injury on Sept. 25, the NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to modify the NFL’s concussion procedure.
After deliberation, both organizations announced on Saturday afternoon that “the outcome in this case is not what was intended when the Protocols were drafted.”
Players may not play if they have ataxia, or a lack of coordination brought on by poor muscle control, according to the new concussion safety standards.
Ataxia was detected in Tagovailoa’s case during the Miami Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills on December 29, according to the NFL’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills, who said it during a press conference on Saturday.
The NFL and NFLPA statement revealed that those who cleared Tagovailoa concluded that he had a back injury which was the cause of his instability. However, the team physician and UNC “did not conduct an examination of Mr. Tagovailoa’s back during the concussion examination.” They relied on an “earlier examination” conducted by other medical staff instead.
After his injury against the Bengals, Tagovailoa revealed on Twitter that he was grateful for the “prayers and support”.
“It was difficult to not be able to finish the game and be there with my teammates, but I am grateful for the support and care I received from the Dolphins, my friends and family, and all the people who have reached out,” he wrote. “I’m feeling much better and focused on recovering so I can get back out on the field with my teammates.”
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Tua Tagovailoa Career Highlights
- Tagovailoa was the backup to sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts throughout the 2017 season.
- Tagovailoa made his first career start at the season’s opening game, against Louisville, in Orlando, Florida, in 2018.
- He also set a new NCAA FBS passer rating record of 199.4 for the season, surpassing the record 198.9 set by Baker Mayfield in 2017.
- He announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
- In August 2020, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies.
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