By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Sports Editor
If you are one of my former students and you were actively engaged in class, one literary element that all English teachers emphasized in language arts is irony, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you when I invoke one of the more poignant, existential twist of fate in the annals of sports: Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a concussion after being tackled by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in Thursday night’s game at the HardRock. If you recall, Damar suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. Hamlin, hospitalized in critical condition, who was released nine days later, spent the remainder of year off the field recuperating and only returned to play full time this season. Tua, scrambling to secure a first down, sustain a drive and possible touchdown, unwittingly attacked Hamlin head first, striking him on his left upper chest area and arm. From my perspective, Tua initiated the contact instead of sliding feet first as most coaches advocate. It is even more baffling given his concussion history with the Dolphins and at Alabama. I attribute his actions – head first – to instinct or intuition, assured that if he had processed his thoughts mentally he would slide feet first if given a mulligan. The consequences of not doing so are dire, impacting his personal health, family, teammates and the Dolphins organization. Like many pundits and sports personalities, I strongly urge him to consider retirement based on his personal episodes with concussions and the traumatic, life altering experiences of NFL players, some of whom have taken their own lives i.e., Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears’ Dave Duerson. Of course, that is easy for me to opine, but certainly not for Tua, a young, gifted athlete who has played the game that he loves for many years, probably since little league.
It appears that he will follow all medical protocols as well as NFL guidelines before making a final determination. Will he return this year if given that option, sit out the remainder of this year and return next year or decide to retire from football for good.
The NFL for years had been in denial regarding serious head injuries, but when the movie Concussion (must view) starring Will Smith came out in 2015, consideration for player health and safety became a priority. You may recall Tua being grabbed and slammed to ground like a rag doll, head bouncing off the hard surface by defensive linemen. Well, we advocated for the prohibition of such tactics, believing that once the defender has control of quarterback , the play ends there – quick whistle! Just suppose Tua decides to play again and suffers a life threatening injury, what liability may be directed toward the League for allowing him to play? Would any renunciation of responsibility hold up in court. As with everything else, life goes on until it doesn’t. There is already speculation about who the Dolphins quarterback will be or whom they should sign in the interim. Note: the Dolphins signed Hallandale High alum Tyler Huntley, who has backed up the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for several years.
