Nick Saban on Tua Tagovailoa future after concussion: 'That's a medical decision'
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban knows Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his family as well as just about anyone. Saban recruited and coached Tagovailoa, and the two are still close today.
Nick Saban joined The Pat McAfee Show on Friday and was asked for his message to Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered yet another concussion Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Saban feels strongly that Tagovailoa should listen to medical experts and not everyone else who has an opinion about his future.
“Well, first of all, I will talk to him today. I haven’t been able to get a hold of him yet. I have a house down there in Florida, so we get together on occasion when I am there, play golf in the offseason. And Tua’s such a great competitor,” Nick Saban said. “But I think this has to be a medical decision. I mean you have to let medical people who understand the circumstances around these injuries, these concussions. … And when you have multiple concussions that’s not a good sign.”
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Tua Tagovailoa played at Alabama under Nick Saban for three seasons, before being drafted No. 5 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He won a national championship with the Crimson Tide and has been a successful NFL quarterback, although he has been slowed by injuries.
Tagovailoa has now suffered three diagnosed concussions during his career. Several people in and around the NFL, including Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, have expressed that Tagovailoa should retire.
However, Nick Saban believes that decision should be made by Tagovailoa, his family and medical experts.
“I think Tua and his family and everyone else should listen to all the medical evidence to make sure that you’re not compromising your future health wise by continuing to play football,” Saban said. “But I think that’s a medical decision. I don’t think that’s something for me to speculate on. I know a lot of people are doing it and more power to them, but I think the family should not be influenced by that. Tua should not be influenced by that. It should be all based on medical professionals.”
Nick Saban also detailed what kind of player and person Tua Tagovailoa is.
“First of all, he’s a great person. And this is a great family. … But this guy is a great competitor. And one thing that he does not know how to do is give up on a play,” Saban said. “He could’ve slid. He had a first down. But he’s a competitive, tough-minded guy that’s trying to set the tone for his team. And he ends up getting injured because of it.”