Reggie Bush wants Tua Tagovailoa to consider taking retirement amid persistent concussions
Retired NFL running back Reggie Bush claimed it would be better if Tua Tagovailoa retires considering he got a concussion from a routine tackle, but he may not be lucky the next time.
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Reggie Bush and Tua Tagovailoa (Image via IMAGO/ X)
Reggie Bush used to get banged up all the time when he was playing in the NFL, so he understands what Tua Tagovailoa is going through. The Miami Dolphins quarterback ended up on the injured reserve list after he sustained a concussion in Week 2.
It was his fourth documented severe hit to the head in his career. Medical experts and even former players advised him to consider retiring from football because another hit to the head might turn out to be fatal.
Super Bowl winner Reggie Bush, who starred for the likes of the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills, agrees that Tagovailoa should think long and hard about walking away and be with his family.
I have had multiple concussions; I have also had ‘getting your bell rung’ which is basically just mild concussion [concussion nevertheless]. You are standing up but you are out of it. Those are dangerous. CTE is real.
Reggie Bush said on Outta Pocket with RG3
Former Miami Dolphin Reggie Bush on whether Tua Tagovailoa should retire,
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 3, 2024
“He should definitely consider it…CTE is a real thing…He should definitely be out most of this season…to make sure he is okay…don’t throw him back out there just because you want to win some games.” pic.twitter.com/EzJEZYdbgU
Reggie Bush advises Tua Tagovailoa to take time off and evaluate all options before returning to football
The Heisman Trophy winner also highlighted that athletes can train their bodies to become strong, but it’s impossible to strengthen the brain, and a few hits to the head can be bad.
Bush believes Tagovailoa should consider retiring because his concussion is getting worse, and that too, on routine tackles.
The challenge of Bills safety Damar Hamlin from Bush’s point of view was a textbook. However, a simple mistake from Tua made it worse.
Damar Hamlin didn’t even really lay his helmet into him… He kinda hit’em in the chest and fell back. One of the things Tua did wrong was he turned his head to the side. When you are going to initiate contact and make contact with somebody [even] if they are coming from the right or left, you never turn your head.
Reggie Bush quipped
Bush didn’t want to pry too much or influence Tua to make a decision, but he believes stepping onto the football field just to win a few games isn’t a smart move. There’s always the possibility of another hit to the head.
He should definitely be out most of this season, if not all of it, and he needs to make some real-life decisions… It’s gotta be him and his family, and it’s gotta be him and the organization, because they also have a vested interest to protect him and not throw him back out there just because you want to win some games.
Reggie Bush said
Do the Dolphins have to pay all the guaranteed money to Tua Tagovailoa if he retires?
The Dolphins put Tua Tagovailoa on the injured reserve, and he has been in rehab ever since. However, there’s the hefty contract that the Pro Bowler signed in July to think about. Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac explained,
The deal includes $167M guaranteed for injury, $43M of which has been paid in 2024. If he’s medically cleared to return to football but opts to retire, he will forego the remaining $124 million guaranteed (barring a custom settlement). If he’s medically forced into retirement, he has a right to collect the $124 million remaining.
Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac weighed in
While a full recovery is the only real focus here, in response to questions regarding Tua Tagovailoa's contract:
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 13, 2024
The deal includes $167M guaranteed for injury, $43M of which has been paid in 2024.
If he's medically cleared to return to football, but opts to retire, he will…
There’s also another side to this, which is far more complicated.
If Tua is able to pass a physical next March, the Dolphins will have the ability to release him, with “only” his $50M of 2025 compensation on the hook. Tua’s 2026 compensation ($54M) becomes fully guaranteed on March 14th. A Post 6/1 release prior to this means $83.6M of dead cap across 2025/2026.
Michael Ginnitti wrote
The other side of this equation gets a little tougher. If Tua is able to pass a physical next March, the Dolphins will have the ability to release him, with "only" his $50M of 2025 compensation on the hook.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 13, 2024
Tua's 2026 compensation ($54M) becomes fully guaranteed on March 14th.…
Since Tagovailoa’s injury, the Dolphins have gone through three different quarterbacks without any positive outcome. It only proves how pivotal the Alabama graduate has been for the team over the years.
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Ishan Misra
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