The Tua Tagovailoa Incident Should Be Investigated Professionally, Civilly and Criminally

Tua Tagovailoa, quaterback of the Miami Dolphins. (Image Credit: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

What we saw yesterday was a grotesque example of profits over people.

If you’re familiar with the series of events that put Tagovailoa into Thursday’s game, feel free to skip ahead to the next heading. For those that don’t follow these things quite as closely, here’s the recap:

On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins played the Buffalo Bills, in a contest featuring two of the NFL’s last undefeated teams. Tagovailoa got up from the hit, but stumbled as he made his way up the field. It was a concerning moment.

He would later return to that game, having cleared the leagues concussion protocal, and go on to lead the Dolphins to their best start since 1972.

After the game, Tagovailoa reported that it was back that locked up, and that he had clearled the concussion protocal. His status was listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Bengals, with the back injury listed.

Many had their doubts. The original hit appeared to be a head injury, and while back injuries aren’t unheard of in the NFL, they aren’t quite as common — or as dangerous — as head injuries.

Tua would start Thursday night. In the second quarter, Tagovailoa was sacked. Upon hitting he field, his hands froze up, twisted in front of his face. This phenomena, called abnormal posturing, is commonly seen with brain trauma.

Tagovailoa exhibiting ‘abnormal posturing’, a symptom of brain trauma. (Image Credit: Amazon Prime)

Tagovailoa lay motionless on the field. He carted off on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. It appears that there’s nothing imminently life threatening, and he will be travelling home with the team today.

But, in this case, we don’t know enough to say all’s well that ends well.

Gross Negligence & Misdirection

There are a few very troubling aspects to this story which need answers.

The first would be the indepednece of the doctors responsible for the concussion protocol, both on the field on Sunday’s game against the Bills. Who evaluated…