Essential Steps for Tua Concussion Buffalo Recovery

Tua Concussion Buffalo Bill Game

Last night, the Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played hard at home in Miami Gardens, Fla., at Hard Rock Stadium against their competitors from Buffalo during a Thursday night game. Regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard, the most important concern is Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. During the game, Tua carried the ball towards the first down line, ball in left hand, down the left side of the field, and was textbook tackled by defensive back Damar Hamlin. When Tua, as head coach Mike McDaniel noted, lowered his body for the tackle during the third quarter, he unfortunately also made the mistake of lowering the top of his head into the tackler’s abdomen and shoulder. Tua not using more of his right shoulder himself and more of his head to meet Hamlin led to a major interior cranial movement of the brain during the second half, resulting in a fencing response that indicated a serious concussion. This situation has drawn comparisons to past incidents like those involving the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals and their handling of player health, which has been widely discussed on Twitter, particularly with the recent acquisition of quarterback Tyler Huntley.

CTE protocols can help Tua

First, a quick and speedy recovery for QB Tua Tagovailoa, with prayers and thoughts for well-timed healing of the mind and body after his latest concussion. Second, according to Mike Garafolo on Tuesday, the NFL professional football league FINALLY has a more regular implementation of player concussion protocols, especially after recent injuries like those seen with the Eagles’ roster, as discussed by NFL Network. In not allowing Tua and other players back on the field after a concussion treatment protocol, as he was potentially considered for injured reserve (IR) in SEPT, the data from the AP regarding personal information on player health will hopefully see a decrease over time, at least week by week, in the statistical possibility of football players developing CTE and other head injuries, including serious blows as seen with the Falcons, with no clear timeline on when changes may take effect.

Why is this important for TLC readers?

Because there are many adults and young people who play sports and have expected contact between players (football, lacrosse, hockey), and unexpected contact between players (soccer, water polo, volleyball) which can lead to head contact and head injuries that warrant a concussion protocol at all age levels of sports. For example, two soccer players trying to head the ball and end up head-balling each other instead. So the purpose of this article is to respectfully remind coaches, administrators, parents and players that anyone who competes in a contact sport like football is likely to have one or more concussions per season, so a concussion protocol is necessary for the statistical inevitability of head injuries. Helmet manufacturers have certainly improved helmet designs in the last 10-20 years, also including foam soft covers to go over helmets during practices and games. Travis Kelce from Kansas City has been seen at practice wearing his foam head cover with a big grin and shoulder shrug, resembling a character from a 1990s’ youth football movie.

Students Keep Playing Hurt – What are the concussion symptoms?

Some concussions like Tua’s are more noticeable, while other concussion symptoms, including those relating to traumatic brain injury, are less noticeable (dizziness, vomiting, blurry vision). Therefore, players themselves, parents, coaches, and trainers should be more knowledgeable about recognizing concussion symptoms after a big head hit and check in on how they themselves and teammates are doing during or after a game. Miami’s medical staff were appropriate in taking Tua out of the game and are still not allowing him to go back to practicing with his helmet and pads just yet. Tua showed especially significant concussion symptoms on the field when it was observed that he was displaying a “fencing posture,” of his arms and legs, the result of neuropathways incorrectly activating because of the seriousness of the head trauma. He was ultimately able to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power.

Myself, and many of my friends, family, and colleagues played for Pop Warner football teams and on to high school football. So this article is not meant to dissuade athletes from playing football, but to inform and encourage advocacy from proper football techniques and equipment. Proper techniques and deliberate practice for carrying the ball and knowing how to be tackled without injury oneself, and also proper techniques and deliberate practice of how to tackle a ballcarrier without the defensive player hurting themselves. Advocacy for better funding for helmets and shoulder pads for youth sports leagues, high school teams, and colleges is also essential as we continue to love the sport of football and want the traditions of the sport to carry on. In order for football players to reach their optimal performances and levels of success, it is important for coaches, players and parents to advocate for newly development equipment to protect players from head, neck, and should injuries that can lead to neurological injury, but in many cases can be prevented with practice for contact moments in sports and safer helmets and equipment.

https://www.si.com/nfl/miami-dolphins-sign-former-pro-bowl-qb-tyler-huntley-tua-tagovailoa-out

https://www.si.com/nfl/tua-tagovailoa-no-plans-retire-per-report

https://www.si.com/nfl/tua-tagovailoa-exits-dolphins-bills-suffering-concussion

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins-place-tua-tagovailoa-ir-latest-concussion

Sports Counseling and Mental Toughness Coaching Orlando Central Florida

Please talk to a mental health professional that specializes in Sports Psychology for help. Tele-Therapy or In-person Counseling can help.