Manti Te’o Reflects on Tau Tagovailoa’s NFL Prospects Amid Concussion Concerns

On September 13, Manti Te’o struggled to maintain his composure while expressing his concern for Tua Tagovailoa’s safety after the quarterback’s recent concussion during a Thursday NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

During the third quarter of the game, Tagovailoa, 26, suffered a collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Medical personnel assisted him off the field, and his availability for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season is uncertain.

Following the game, coach Mike McDaniel appeared visibly upset but assured reporters that Tagovailoa remained in “good spirits” despite the injury.

The incident deeply affected Te’o, who revealed on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football that he had hoped Tagovailoa would retire after the 2022 season due to concerns about his health.

Te’o, a former NFL linebacker, fought back tears as he described the difficulty of witnessing someone he has known “since he was a little boy” endure another head injury. Both Te’o, 33, and Tagovailoa started their football journeys in Hawaii before moving on to college and eventually the NFL.

“I want the best for Tua as a man and as a father,” Te’o said, pausing to gather himself. “He’s now a father of two, and my hope is that he can be there for his children and walk his daughter down the aisle many years from now. That’s what would truly bring me joy.”

Tagovailoa’s latest concussion comes after a series of concerning head injuries during the 2022 season, which led to him missing five games and being diagnosed with two concussions. The most remarkable incident occurred in a September 2022 Thursday Night Football game when he was carted off the field.

Te’o acknowledged that Tagovailoa is a “competitor” who strives to win, noting that the quarterback had taken measures to protect himself after the 2022 season, including weight loss and using a new helmet designed for better head protection.

“To witness him go through this again is hard,” Te’o admitted. “I didn’t mean to get emotional on the show, but it’s tough as a family member. I hope my little brother realizes what’s truly important and makes the best decision for himself.”

After the 2022-2023 season, Tagovailoa mentioned that he had “considered” retiring due to his previous concussions but decided to continue playing because of his passion for football.

“It’s about my health and my body. I believe this is the best choice for me and my family,” he explained to reporters. “I love football. If I didn’t, I would have stopped playing a long time ago.”