Tua Tagovailoa has no memory of being carried off the field
Three weeks after a hit that led the NFL to change the way their concussion protocol is handled, Tua Tagovailoa prepares to start against the Steelers
The tackle looked pretty standard and while there was clearly no intent to hurt Tua Tagovailoa on the part of Cincinnati’s Josh Tupou, the after effects were uncomfortable to see. Tagovailoa’s hands frozen into a twisted, gripping brace, known in medicine as the “fencing response” was an unmistakable sign of concussion.
While the team initially reported that it was “nothing more serious than a concussion,” medical experts and media weighed in criticizing the way that the league deals with these types of injuries. Tua had just been cleared in the league’s concussion protocol a few days prior from another hit that he suffered the week previous.
Facing a sizeable public backlash, the league and the players association got together and introduced immediate changes to the concussion protocol, starting with Tua.
Now having passed the most rigorous testing and taking over three weeks to heal, Tagovailoa has been cleared to play and is slated to start Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In speaking to the press of his injury, he has revealed details which underline the seriousness of the hit.
“I wouldn’t say it was scary for me at the time,” said Tagovailoa. “Because there was a point where I was unconscious, so I couldn’t really tell what was going on. So when I did come to and kinda realized what was going on, what was happening, I didn’t think of anything long-term or short-term, I was just wondering what happened.”
The loss of consciousness and of memory are two sure signs of brain trauma.
“I remember the entire night up to the point I got tackled,” continued Tua. “But after I got tackled, I don’t remember much from there. Getting carted off, I don’t remember that. But I do remember things that were going on when I was in the ambulance and then when I arrived at the hospital.”
Acknowledging that he must be more mindful of his body, Tua spoke of the new protocol as reassuring.
“A lot of it has been pretty stressful, but it’s all done for player safety and I’m glad that I got to go through those things and kind of understand more of the deals of concussions and the effects long-term and short-term, things like that. It was great to go through that process and get cleared.”