Tua Tagovailoa readies to take up JUDO as a means of preventing further concussions

Tua Tagovailoa thanks the Miami Dolphins for ‘protecting me from myself’ during concussion protocol as he readies to take up JUDO as a means of avoiding further head injuries

Tua Tagovailoa has revealed his 36-day stint in concussion protocol was an intentional decision by the Miami Dolphins. 

Tagovailoa, who will undertake Judo this offseason in an attempt to help avoid further concussions, said the Dolphins made the call after he entered the protocol on December 26 — a day after a blow to the head vs. Green Bay. 

‘For concussion protocol, I think the team did me the biggest service throughout that,’ Tagovailoa told USA Today. 

Tua Tagovailoa has revealed he's grateful to the Miami Dolphins and will soon undertake Judo

Tua Tagovailoa has revealed he’s grateful to the Miami Dolphins and will soon undertake Judo

Tagovailoa suffered concussion symptoms following a blow to the head vs. the Packers in Dec.

Tagovailoa suffered concussion symptoms following a blow to the head vs. the Packers in Dec.

‘They never allowed me to go through protocol normally until the season was done. So that’s why it might have seemed like it took forever, but they were just protecting me from myself. And me and my family are very thankful to the Dolphins.’

Though being away from the field and under protocol was hardly a breeze, with Tagovailoa put through the ringer. 

‘But it really entailed a lot of exertion, so like running, ocular and vestibular movements, so like balance, proprioception — things like that. 

‘Having went to see a doctor in Pittsburgh, got clear from him and then had to do written test, memorization.’

Tagovailoa's first concussion scare came in the second quarter against the Bills in September

Tagovailoa’s first concussion scare came in the second quarter against the Bills in September

Tagovailoa’s was concussed earlier in the season at Cincinnati after being ripped to the turf by 6-foot-3, 340-pound Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou. Resultantly, he taken off the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital after going into the fencing position. 

It was only four days after another incident in the Week 3 game at home to Buffalo, where Tagovailoa was wobbly on his feet after hitting his head on the ground. Miami called it a back issue despite many medical experts and former players believed it to be a concussion. 

Now, Tagovailoa will turn to martial arts as a future protective mechanism. 

‘We’ve got a plan set up,’ he told the Up and Adams Show. ‘I’ll be doing judo on Fridays just so I can figure out like, understanding my body and learning how to fall. Just trying to help myself.’

Four days later, he was off on a stretcher after being concussed against Cincinnati Bengals

Four days later, he was off on a stretcher after being concussed against Cincinnati Bengals

Miami finished its season without Tagovailoa, losing to AFC East rivals Buffalo in a spirited 21-19 defeat as third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson almost pulled off the incredible upset.

Tagovailoa turns 25 on March 2, and came into the 2020 NFL Draft with questions about durability because of hip and ankle surgeries during his three seasons at Alabama.

In 2022, his first season with McDaniel, Tagovailoa posted career bests in nearly every category and was 8-5 as a starter. He had 3,548 passing yards, averaged 13.7 yards per completion with 25 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 105.5.

Miami almost pulled off an incredible upset against Buffalo in the Wildcard round vs. Buffalo

Miami almost pulled off an incredible upset against Buffalo in the Wildcard round vs. Buffalo

source: dailymail.co.uk