Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce had strong advice for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagvailoa. Tua suffered a concussion in the Dolphins 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.
The concern was the third in as many seasons for Tua.
Many analysts and fans on social media were calling for Tua to retire from football after suffering the concussion on Thursday night. Given Tua’s history with concussions, it’s a problem that likely won’t go away and could jeopardize his future health.
On Friday morning, Pierce told reporters that he would advise Tua to retire.
Las Vegas Raiders HC Antonio Pierce had advice for Tua Tagovailoa
“I’ll be honest. I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Pierce said. “Playing the game, I haven’t witnessed anything like what’s happened to him three times. Scary.
“You could see right away, the players’ faces on the field. You could see the sense of urgency from everybody to get Tua help. I just think at some point, he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family.”
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce says he would tell Tua Tagovailoa to retire from the NFL.
“I’ve never witnessed anything like what has happened to him three times. … Take care of your family.”
pic.twitter.com/8b9MNt8CEE— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2024
Tua’s career is at stake
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had a much different message for Tua than what Pierce gave. McDaniel said that right now is not the time or place for other people to worry about Tua’s career.
“You’re talking about his career. His career is his,” McDaniel said. “I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying, that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him. So, I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care that that should be the last thing on your mind.”
#Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel says that if you truly care about Tua Tagovailoa, the last thing you should be discussing is whether he should retire.
"I totally get that's where people want to go. I just wish, for a second, people would hear what I'm saying—that bringing up his… pic.twitter.com/lNCdFeStgG
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2024
It’s not an easy situation for Tua, the Dolphins, or fans in the sport.
Tua and his doctors will have to decide on what his football future will look like after Thursday night’s game.
Pierce’s advice appears sound. Tua can take care of his family and retire.
However, Tua is a competitor, and he wants to play the quarterback position in the prime of his life.
But at what cost?
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