‘Fire them’: Sickening sight rocks America as ‘lie’ called out
America has watched with horror over an NFL star’s troubling scene. There are calls for heads to roll. WARNING: Distressing content.
There are calls for mass employment terminations at the Miami Dolphins over the distressing scene of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being stretchered off the field.
Near the end of the second quarter of the Dolphins’ “Thursday Night Football” match-up against the Bengals, Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher with head and neck injuries, The New York Post reports.
Tagovailoa was sacked by Cincinnati defensive lineman Josh Tupou, who whipped him around as he brought him down. Tagovailoa landed directly on his head, which slammed right off the field.
Watch The Biggest Sports from The US with ESPN on Kayo. NBA, NHL, MLB & NFL. Live Coverage Every Week in Season. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
He was conscious and taken to Cincinnati Medical Centre, a level 1 trauma centre, according to the Amazon Prime broadcast. He has movement in all his extremities, the team announced.
When cameras panned closer to Tagovailoa, who remained in distress on the ground, his fingers could be seen visibly crooked. Play-play-play man Al Michaels and analyst Kirk Herbstreit explained on the broadcast that Tagovailoa’s finger misalignment is likely a response to a neurological shock, likely caused by the extreme blow to his head.
Just last week, Tagovailoa suffered a similar scary injury during the Dolphins’ win over the Bills. He was driven back on a hit by Buffalo pass rusher Matt Milano, and slammed his head against the ground as he landed. After trying to get up and run a few steps back to the huddle, he collapsed and was helped off the field.
He returned in the second half of that game, however, having passed the NFL’s concussion protocols. That return, and the medical clearance and processes involved in checking for a potential head injury or concussion, prompted controversy and an NFL Players Association investigation.
Just four days later, it’s gotten even scarier. Immediately after the hit, the NFL community was outspoken in support of Tagovailoa.
There was plenty of desperate prayers for the 24-year-old, but there has also been furious calls for Dolphins officials to be sacked over the decision allowing Tagovailoa to play.
Commentators speculated the team “lied” to allow him to play — and should pay for it with their jobs.
This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
Deserved or not, more than a few people are going to lose their jobs over what happened tonight, I think.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 30, 2022
Praying for you @Tua ðð¾
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) September 30, 2022
Truth be told Tua should probably never have been playing.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 30, 2022
He displayed neurological trauma last week, we disregarded it, labeled it a âback injuryâ & let him back in the game.
Now, the whole world watch as he lay on the field helpless. When will we put player safety FIRST!
I deleted my previous post because it wasnât the right thing to say. I apologize for my lack of sensitivity dealing with the injury. I believe the Dolphins lied about Tua injury on Sunday and put him in this predicament. Again, I apologize for lapse in judgement
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) September 30, 2022
If it comes out that Miami lied about Tua having a concussion and put him out there, the whole staff should be fired.
— Joe Santagato (@JoeSantagato) September 30, 2022
The NFL has a lot of questions to answer after this one.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 30, 2022
The @MiamiDolphins just failed Tua. How could you let him on the field after last week? Especially on short week. Shame on everyone involved. And shame on @amazon for continually showing it.
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) September 30, 2022
God, the fencing response is one of the worst sights in football. Really scary for Tua.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 30, 2022
Iâm sick for Tua, man. Sick.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 30, 2022
Never seen someoneâs hand lock up like that. Praying for Tua.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 30, 2022
the entire Dolphins sideline is at midfield as they prepare to take Tua off on a stretcher. Harrowing moment here in Cincinnati pic.twitter.com/dJEPO4y21h
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 30, 2022
This is scary to see. Hoping Tua Tagovailoa is going to be OK pic.twitter.com/bSA0Y52MKg
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 30, 2022
I hope Tua is ok. This is terrible to watch.
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) September 30, 2022
Praying for you @Tua ðð¾
— DeForest Buckner (@DeForestBuckner) September 30, 2022
Hope Tua is ok. Something about his injuries last week just seemed fishy. Was surprised he came back last week and that he even started tonight.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) September 30, 2022
Holy shit Prayers for Tua, brutal to see.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) September 30, 2022
Man.. that was tough to watch.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 30, 2022
Hope Tuaâs alright
That is so incredibly rough to see. Scary. All prayers to Tua. ðð¾
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 30, 2022
Oh man. Tuaâs head hit the turf hard there.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 30, 2022
Prayers to Tuaðð¿
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) September 30, 2022