Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa donates his brain to science after latest concussion

MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has decided to donate his brain to science in order to study the effects of concussions, after suffering yet another head injury during last Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, his third in two years.

Tagovailoa was designated to the injury reserve list on Tuesday, which will sideline the 2020 5th overall draft pick for four games. During that span, Tagovailoa’s brain will be shipped up to Boston University, one of the leading experts in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE, where it will be studied before being returned in time for the Dolphins’ game against the Arizona Cardinals in Miami.

“We want to the thank Mr. Tagovailoa for his generous donation during this very busy time in his schedule,” said Dr. Norman Fitzgerald, Boston University’s lead neurosurgeon. “We don’t normally get to examine the brain until after the donor is finished with it. So, to have this opportunity to examine a brain from an elite athlete while he’s still alive is a real honor.”

The quarterback was injured after lowering his shoulder and making contact with Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin, taking the full force of the 201 Lb. defensive back, like a man.

“Personally, I would’ve slid as far away from any players as I possible could,” said former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. “I was terrified of people hitting me. Actually, I probably would’ve just spiked the ball or thrown it to Hamlin to avoid the hit. Kudos to Tua for putting his health very last on his list of priorities and getting those extra inches for the first down.”

This injury has spurred many fans, players, and coaches alike to plead for Tagovailoa to step away from football for the sake of his mental and physical health down the line.

“If I’m him, I’m seriously considering retiring from football. If that was my son, it might be time,” said former teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick. “I’m not a doctor, but (a concussion) is when your brain is really shutting off. It’s happened a couple of times.”

“It’s so sad, guy just got paid,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. “It was great to be Tua, and it is great to be Tua. However, I’m looking at these concussions, if I’m him, at this point, I’m seriously considering retiring from football. If that was my son, I would be like, ‘It might be time.’ This stuff is not what you want to play around with.”

Despite literally everyone with a conscious begging him to walk away from the sport, Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel said the only one who can make the decision on Tagovailoa’s career is Tagovailoa.

“You’re talking about his career,” said McDaniel said. “His career is his.“

“That said, we’re hoping that spending a few weeks without the ol’ thought factory rattling around up there in his skull will be just the rejuvenation he needs to come back stronger and ready to give us the push we need to make the playoffs,” he continued. “Of course, let’s see how the next few weeks go. Maybe we’ll just start him without a brain. Can’t concuss what isn’t there, right?”

With Tagovailoa on the sidelines, the Dolphins will turn to backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. The Kansas State University alum was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. He has appeared in eight NFL games prior to last Thursday’s game and is a career 68-119 in passing attempts with one touchdown and three interceptions.

“I am really grateful for the opportunity to lead this team again,” said Thompson. “I just hope I can inspire my teammates as well as Tua. Not everyone would donate their brain to science midway through the season. That shows a level of commitment that I, honestly, never want to have to show, but hope I can if ever concussed that bad.”

Boston University scientists are planning on doing an entire workup of Tagovailoa’s brain in the hopes it can help them better understand the effects of brain injuries on a living subject.

“This really will be a monumental opportunity to better understand how our brain reacts to trauma and we’re hoping the information we gather from this study will allow us to help more people in the future,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s an exciting time for all of us. Well, maybe not Tua. But the rest of us are biting at the bit to get started.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he’s eagerly watching the Boston University study and is considering imposing a no-brain rule next season if it will eliminate serious brain trauma.