Stephen A. Smith Warns Tua Tagovailoa’s NFL Career Could End With Next Head Injury
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Health concerns surrounding Tua Tagovailoa are once again part of the national conversation. During a recent appearance, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith issued a stark warning, suggesting the Miami Dolphins quarterback may be “one head injury away” from potentially seeing his NFL career come to an end.
What Stephen A. Smith Actually Said About Tua Tagovailoa
Stephen A. Smith expressed serious concern over Tagovailoa’s concussion history, stating that another significant head injury could realistically force the quarterback to consider retirement.
While Smith did not cite inside medical information, his remarks centered on the cumulative impact of concussions and the league’s stricter protocols in recent seasons.
His core message was clear: the margin for error has grown extremely thin for Tagovailoa.
“He’s small, he’s afraid of getting hit, and you can’t blame him,” Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. “Look at what he’s been through. Look at the concussions… The problem is that he’s too fragile to be an NFL quarterback. He’s proven that, and it’s prevented Miami from being successful. They’re making the right decision.”
Tua Tagovailoa’s Concussion History Explained
Tagovailoa’s health became a major storyline during the 2022 season, when he suffered multiple concussions in a short span. Those incidents prompted:
- National scrutiny of NFL concussion protocol
- Independent neurological evaluations
- League-wide procedural adjustments
Since then, the Dolphins and Tagovailoa have emphasized proactive measures, including changes to his training and body mechanics to reduce exposure to high-impact hits.
Conclusion
Stephen A. Smith’s warning about Tua Tagovailoa underscores the serious nature of concussion risk in professional football. While there is no automatic retirement trigger, another significant head injury could prompt difficult medical and personal decisions.
