It’s one thing for analysts to weigh in on whether Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should retire after his latest concussion. It’s quite another for a head coach of another team to suggest he should hang up his cleats.
Antonio Pierce’s Bold Statement
That’s exactly what Raiders coach Antonio Pierce did when he spoke to reporters on Friday.
“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire,” Pierce candidly shared. “It’s not worth it. It’s not worth it. Played the game, I haven’t witnessed anything like I’ve seen that’s happened to him three times. Scary. You could see it immediately in the faces of the players on the field. You could sense the urgency to get Tua help. At some point, he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family.”
Ripple Effects of Pierce’s Comments
Pierce’s comments have certainly raised eyebrows. Coaches generally tread carefully when discussing players under contract with other teams, leading some to wonder if Pierce’s remarks might be seen as tampering. However, according to the NFL, they do not amount to tampering since tampering only becomes an issue when a coach wants to acquire rights to a player currently under contract with another team.
But, I’ll tell you, it just didn’t sit right. Especially after Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel practically begged people to refrain from speculating about Tua’s future.
McDaniel’s Perspective: Leave Tua’s Future to Tua
“I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying: bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him,” McDaniel passionately appealed on Friday. “So I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care, that should be the last thing on your mind because—what do you think if I were to answer that question, I’d be like, ‘All right, these are my thoughts on his career’ and he read it? If he agreed with it or he disagreed with it, either way I’ve just made him worse. So I’m not taking this opportunity. I don’t think it’s appropriate simply because of my care and regard, and I don’t think those types of conversations when you’re talking about somebody’s career—it probably is only fair that their career should be decided by them.”
The Dolphins, unsurprisingly, declined to comment on Pierce’s statements. However, McDaniel’s words resonate.
Respecting Tua’s Decision
It’s one thing to evaluate the factors that will impact Tua’s decision—we’ve done that. It’s another to dictate a personal choice about his career—we haven’t done that, and we won’t. Once he’s cleared to play, it’s **his** decision, and everyone should respect and accept whatever choice he makes.
