A discussion about Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and future in the NFL took a serious turn on ESPN’s First Take on Friday, when Stephen A. Smith and Elle Duncan discussed gender roles and sacrifice.
On Thursday, Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in the NFL after colliding with Damar Hamlin during the Miami Dolphins’ 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their second game of the season.
The 26-year-old’s recent scare has sparked conversations about whether he should retire early. Discussing the issue, Smith delved into the difference between men and women who make sacrifices.
Molly [Qerim] And Elle, I can say this: As men, our mentality is often different,” Smith began. “You’re willing to risk everything to ensure the well-being of your family forever, even after you’re gone.
“There are sacrifices that I make as a father all the time. I’m not with my daughters as much as I’d like to be. I’m not with my family as much as I’d like to be. Sometimes they hate it and so on. I don’t care. And you know why I don’t care? Because I grew up hungry,” Smith added.
Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion sparked discussion about gender roles on ESPN’s First Take
“And as a result, I’m willing to do whatever I can to ensure the well-being of my family, even when I’m gone — as selfish as that may be — because I know what it’s like to grow up with nothing,” he continued.
‘These footballers make those decisions every day as men. Caring, protecting. That’s our number 1 priority. That’s how most of us think. And that plays a role in the kind of decisions that men make.’
Duncan responded to her colleague by emphasizing the sacrifices she made for her family.
“As a woman with two scars from hip to hip, having had two C-sections to provide for my family and raise a family, I understand what sacrifice means,” Duncan said.
“As a Black woman in this country, where the mortality rates are incredibly high, I understand that you have to make sacrifices and try to minimize risks when it comes to your family, growing your family, and protecting your family.”
While Duncan’s position was welcomed, she added that Tagovailoa’s loved ones should have a “real conversation with him.”
“The only thing I’m pleading with is that anyone in Tua’s corner, anyone who truly believes in Tua and loves him, has a real conversation with him right now about what quality of life looks like,” Duncan said. “We all face an existential crisis at some point in our lives.”
The quarterback led a tackle with his head on Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin on TNF
Tagovailoa could be out for the entire season by the Dolphins after his concussion
Duncan then turned her attention to former NFL player and panelist Ryan Clark, saying, “You host a podcast called ‘The Pivot,’ and at some point we all have to say goodbye to the idea that has shaped us our entire lives.
“I hope that someone in that family, someone around him who really loves him, asks him to take a moment to think quietly about whether he wants to go through with this.”
Shortly after he was pulled from Thursday’s game, personalities in and around the NFL took to social media to call for Tagovailoa to retire. Former NFL star Dez Bryant led the charge, while Shannon Sharpe, Nick Wright and Patrick Mahomes expressed concern.
On Friday, a source told DailyMail.com that the Dolphins are considering keeping the quarterback sidelined for the rest of the season while he figures out what he wants to do in the future.
“It appears the Dolphins will sit Tua out for the entire season to give him time to think about retiring from the NFL,” the source told DailyMail.com.
“The recovery and emotions are in full swing at this time and no immediate decisions have been made, but after this latest concussion it is almost certain that the NFL and the Miami Dolphins will strongly recommend that he retire.”
The Dolphins quarterback left the game with 145 yards and a touchdown, after completing 17 of 25 passes.
The Hawaiian star’s first head injury was a Grade 1 concussion he suffered in September 2022 against the Bengals. In December of that year, Tagovailoa suffered a Grade 3 concussion that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
With the win, Buffalo has emerged victorious in 12 of its last 13 games against Miami. The Bills are now 2-0 on the season, while the Dolphins are 1-1.