Over the last decade or so, all sports around the globe have begun taking the risk and ramifications of concussion far more seriously, and many would argue that the National Football League are more advanced than most when it comes to concussion protocols.
Even the vaunted English Premier League are lagging behind on this front, yet the NFL have already actively long tweaked the laws of the gridiron game to make it safer during tackles and the helmet to helmet rule first came into play back in 2018, and was widened and strengthened in 2022.
For those who use The Punters Page and look at the issues in sport with concussion, there would be plenty of discussion of changes in all sports and the odds of those changes continuing to happen over the next few years would be high.
However, it continues to be an important issue in the game and fans will be well aware of the concussion problems that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had in recent times, and very unfortunately he was again left concussed following their Friday Night Football action against the Buffalo Bills.
The Dolphins went on to lose the game 31-10, but the major story to come out of the match up was 26 year old Tagovailoa’s third concussion in two years. The player went down in the ‘fencing position’ following a tackle by Damar Hamlin, and given his history of this problem, he was again diagnosed with the condition within minutes of leaving the field for treatment.
Fans will remember that back in the 2022 season he was diagnosed with two concussions, the first of which followed a head injury that motivated the NFL to make its latest changes to the existing concussion protocol’s.
But three concussions in two years obviously raises questions of its own when it comes to the player directly, and what is clearly the most important topic to be addressed – his own health and wellbeing.
For the game itself, running back James Cook scored three touchdowns to take the Bills to a 2-0 for 2024, and Tagovailoa had completed 17 of his 25 attempted passes for 145 yards. That also included a touchdown completion for De’Von Achane – however, he was on the wrong end of three interceptions.
Moving back to what is important, the NFL will undoubtedly look at further changes moving forward but ultimately this is going to be an ongoing concern whilst physical sports continue to exist, and far better than me will be recommending further and additional safety measures (and they should absolutely be implemented and followed in all sports) but it is never going to be 100% fool proof.
With those in the game realizing that this is a more isolated case, albeit incredibly seriously, they know that the sport can only do so much and with a third concussion now sustained, plenty of well known names in the game are now calling on the Pro Bowl QB to retire from the game for his own best interests.
Ex Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said that a third concussion for a single player in such a short period of time was ‘enough’ and it was the point the NFL themselves should step in and ‘do the right thing’ and propose a deal, that worked for the franchise and the player, that saw him retire given his health concerns.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had heartfelt concern for the player having seen it play out in real time, and fans and neutrals of all jersey colours have also been quick to point out that whilst it is incredibly unfortunate for the player, they feel he has little choice but to make the hard decision to protect his health, his future and ultimately the ‘entire life’ that lies ahead of him.
We can only hope in the coming days the correct decisions are made in the interests of all.
Main Image: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
