Tua Tagovailoa must seek concussion counsel from Panthers legend

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should seek the counsel of Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly regarding his concussion issues. 

No matter what rules the NFL implement, there will always be injuries. That’s just the violent nature of the game and something that once again reared its ugly head this week in the case of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The former first-round pick out of Alabama suffered what looks like his third concussion in a very short timeframe on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers. Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Week 17 and might not see the field again this season, with head coach Mike McDaniel indicating that health trumps all in this scenario.

"“This is a human being, very much like all players. I’m not gonna go in direct conflict with what the doctors have told me to do, which is just to worry about one day at a time. This is just a day at a time process, that his health is the first, foremost and only priority.”"

While the Dolphins should come under scrutiny for the way they handled Tagovailoa’s health concerns earlier in the campaign, that does not detract from what a grave turn of events this is for a player that’s demonstrated real growth in 2022.

Tua Tagovailoa should seek advice from Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly

Tagovailoa needs to think about the bigger picture. There are far more critical elements to consider rather than being out on the football field, which invokes bad memories for Carolina Panthers fans regarding a legendary figure that was forced to call it a day ahead of time.

Luke Kuechly‘s glittering eight-year career came with almost every honor imaginable outside of a Super Bowl. The perennial All-Pro linebacker is among the team’s greatest-ever players for a reason, with his cerebral approach, tireless work ethic, and explosive playmaking still sorely missed by the Panthers to this day.

Unfortunately for Kuechly, a series of concussions forced an early retirement after the 2019 season. This was heartbreaking for everyone associated with the Panthers, but it was absolutely the right call to make in the circumstances.

Although just three years into his professional career, it would be a surprise if Tagovailoa wasn’t contemplating something similar after recent events. That’s why seeking Kuechly’s counsel is well worth considering to get a player’s perspective on what is a life-altering decision.

Nobody loved the game of football more or studied harder than Kuechly. So for the Boston College product to give all that up just tells you how vital it is to preserve faculties for a life beyond the NFL.

What’s the point in accomplishing great things if you cannot remember them five, ten, or 20 years after retirement? Especially when one considers how many concussions Tagovailoa’s suffered during the campaign to date.

Leaning on someone like Kuechly for advice alongside medical experts wouldn’t hurt. It might even give the signal-caller a fresh outlook on his current predicament, which could have long-term, severe ramifications if not handled correctly.

It might not seem like it for Tagovailoa right now, but there is more to life than football.

Just ask Kuechly.