Tua Tagovailoa considered walking away from football after a series of head injuries last season. Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two concussions last season and many questioned if it was safe for the Miami Dolphins quarterback to continue playing.
But after talking to his family and doctors, the 25-year-old ruled out retirement and started training in martial arts this offseason to help reduce head injuries. “I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do,” Tagovailoa said on Wednesday. “It’s my health.
It’s my body. And I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football. If I didn’t, I would have quit a long time ago.” Now, Tagovailoa is learning how to fall.
Though he’s still early in his jiu jitsu training – he is currently a white belt – Tagovailoa is working on ways to land more safely when he’s on the field. “We used crash pads at first with trying to fall,” he said. “Obviously tucking your chin, that was one of the deals.