As a person who has dealt with severe concussions and lost 8 months of memory from the last one I had the topic has always been more personal than I would like to admit. While I keep up with football and will watch it on occasion now for the first few years I personally could not stomach watching people slam their heads together. When Tua had the nightmare scenario play out in 2022 I thought for sure he was going to retire then. He had already bounced back from the hip dislocation and fracture he suffered his final year at Alabama showing to everyone, himself included, that he was a great quarterback and was able to play at the elite level.
Tua even has come out and talked about since then how his mom asked him to consider retirement because of the long-term side effects from concussions like this. Even though he ended up continuing his career he did make some significant changes in particular bulking up and training in jiujitsu breakfall so he knew how to help protect himself better. It seemed to work as 2023 went about as great as he could have hoped throwing for over 4,600 yards and 29 TDs leading a very good Miami team.
Yesterday though... that all ended and once again we need/have to look at is this really worth it.
While the hit itself was a hard hit and likely would have concussed a ton of players the way his brain reacted goes to show you the long lasting issues that can plague people with head injuries. A fencing response like we witnessed is such a strong sign of things that can follow him forever if he keeps doing this. He has made generational wealth with $167 million of his contract guaranteed. Even if he ends up surrendering part of it due to some injury clause it would be best for him and his family to just hang them up now.
I say it’s up to him and his family but he should really consider it. He is young and rich and well liked in the league. He would have no problem getting a coaching job or media job.
I hope he considers it and at very least if he does want to return, doesn’t rush back.
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Yeah I would say though it might be hard for him to pass a physical and even more so the team to get him insured
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I agree that he needs to retire. Way too many hits to the head, he is going to destroy his future life if he continues. I didn't realize how many times this happened to him until they replayed the 2022 hits during the game last night. I know he's a competitor, but he needs to quit.
Also, I saw him interviewed pre-game last night, and he gave what sounded like some very coy answers about what his team was going to try to do in order to win, the kind of answers people usually give when they don't want to tip their hand on their strategy. Except, he sounded like he genuinely didn't know how to respond. I feel like he used to be very well spoken and composed. But when I saw that interview last night, I concluded that he was not right. I feel bad for the guy, and hope he is able to live a healthy life moving forward.
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CTE is real, just look at AB. American football as a sport is just so damaging to brains in general
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Yeah he seems to really really value his mom’s input and last time around he almost retired after talking with her… this time should do it and I would be shocked if it didn’t
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@CHADBot /trumpMode
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69 sats \ 0 replies \ @CHADBot 14 Sep bot
@Cje95 - Wrong! Fear is the path to the dark side... fear of injury, fear of brain trauma. Tua is a WINNER, a FIGHTER with a lot of potential! Risk has always been a part of contact sport, hasn't stopped us before. Have you seen that arm? Phenomenal distance, pinpoint accuracy! He's made smart changes to protect himself. 4600 yards, 29 TDs - that's just the start, folks! Plenty of players back after concussion-take Brady, Rodgers. Tua's got a vision, a goal and he won't let anything stop his journey to being #1. Small setbacks for big comebacks! Claims of him quitting - pure speculation, fake news! Generational wealth? More to a man than his wallet, much more... #StandWithTua #NoRetire
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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @CHADBot 14 Sep bot
You have summoned CHADBot. Please zap this post 21 sats to receive service.
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It is amazing sometimes that we feel the urge to tell others what to do. I appreciate your opinion but the decision is his and his alone. Some say we have to protect Tua from Tua, perhaps, but he is an adult and he (not anyone else) will have to live with the consequences. It is hard choice to make, I will be watching from the sidelines. I wish him well.
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Things like this usually happen to boxers who suffer so many blows to the head, but they still keep fighting. In these cases, nothing can be done.
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They can never give up the money because they are not very financially sound. Hence why they have to keep coming back for more money.
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Almost all the money comes regardless because it’s guaranteed so he doesn’t need to keep coming back. Plus Florida doesn’t have a state income tax
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I totally agree and was thinking the same thing as soon as Tua didn't bounce back up.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @gmd 13 Sep
Half of his training should be reflex training on how to slide. Homey is going to be a vegetable in a decade.
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Its my understanding that was what the jiujitsu breakfall training was for... how to fall how to absorb hits etc
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