No regrets? Tua Tagovailoa breaks silence on going for a head-first tackle despite facing multiple concussions in the past
Tua Tagovailoa opened up about the scary headfirst tackle he attempted against the Rams, expressing no regrets over his play.
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Tua Tagovailoa (Image via IMAGO)
When everyone was telling Tua Tagovailoa to retire after sustaining the third recorded concussion of his career, he insisted on staying with the condition of playing cautiously. However, on Monday, the quarterback demonstrated that he is willing to take risks if the game demands it.
In the game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Tagovailoa stunned everyone by making a headfirst tackle by lowering his body. It happened in the second quarter as the Miami Dolphins star dropped back to pass and targeted wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. However, the Rams’ linebacker Christian Rozeboom intervened to make an interception and ran upfield before Waddle could catch the ball.
Surprisingly, Tagovailoa chased after him along with his teammates and attempted to tackle Rozeboom by lowering his shoulder to make a headfirst tackle attempt. Fortunately, he didn’t sustain a hit but part of the linebacker’s leg made contact with Tagovailoa’s head.
I would say it didn’t feel as bad as what it may have looked like. Essentially you’re out there playing football. I didn’t necessarily feel that (hit). I wasn’t just going to jump out of the way for him to just run down the sideline and potentially score. You’ve got to make decisions, and I should have never threw the pick in the first place.
Tua Tagovailoa told the reporters
#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said he would do it again when asked about his head-first tackle attempt following an interception on Monday night.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 14, 2024
"I shoulda never threw the pick in the first place. … I wouldn't do anything different."pic.twitter.com/fxIQcyQFdf
The scariest part about the Pro Bowler attempting the headfirst tackle was because the last concussion he sustained earlier this season happened during a scramble when he dove in head-first. Yet, Tagovailoa was not cautious arguing that the tackle looked worse than it was in reality.
Mike McDaniel highlights Tua Tagovailoa’s vulnerability after tackle attempt
Contrary to the signal-caller’s words about not feeling the hit during the attempted tackle, head coach Mike McDaniel shared that Tagovailoa’s reaction was different when he saw himself doing it on film. Returning from a concussion recently, he saw how “vulnerable” he was looking while attempting the risky tackle.
In my opinion, Tua’s reaction to the tackle was probably different when he watched it on film than what he was thinking was occurring live speed.
Mike McDaniel told the media
McDaniel also defended his quarterback, stating that he has been sufficiently enough on the field and has taken steps to protect himself in various situations. However, Tagovailoa does not want to be ‘the face of serious injuries’ in the NFL, which is why he aims to shed that reputation by executing crucial yet safe plays.
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Pratyusha Srivastava
(2078 Articles Published)