I would advise him to retire.

In a recent press conference, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce expressed serious concerns regarding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health following his third diagnosed concussion in just three seasons. The incident occurred during Thursday night’s match against the Buffalo Bills, where Tagovailoa was forced to leave the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit that caused a fencing response, a sign of a potential concussion. Although he was able to walk off the field, he was immediately placed in concussion protocol.

Tagovailoa’s concussion history is alarming; he missed five games last season due to two diagnosed concussions and an additional head injury attributed to the NFL’s decision to revise its concussion protocols. In light of this, Pierce made a heartfelt statement emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health and family over the game.

“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Pierce said. “Playing the game, I haven’t seen anything like what’s happened to him three times. It’s scary—you could see it in the players’ faces on the field. There was a sense of urgency to get Tua help. At some point, he has to consider that he’ll live longer than he’ll play football. He needs to take care of his family.”

Pierce is not alone in his concern. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who faced the Dolphins in Week 1, also weighed in, stressing that athlete safety must always come first. He acknowledged the complexities around managing such injuries in a sport known for its physicality.

“If it was one of our guys, you have to be very careful and do the right thing for the player,” Pederson noted. “That’s the most important thing. We are trying to remove dangerous elements from the game, but the nature of these hits makes that challenging. Player health and safety should always be a priority, and as players, you have to consider what’s best for your long-term future.”

Pederson, who himself had a seven-season playing career before becoming a coach, reflected on how moments like this can serve as sobering reminders of the human aspect of football. “Everybody wants to play and loves this game. They give so much, and then something like this happens, and it really hits home,” he said.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also addressed Tagovailoa’s condition at a media event, stating that there should be no rush to discuss his potential return to football. McDaniel expressed that the focus should be solely on Tagovailoa’s health and well-being, urging fans and the media to let him take the time he needs.

“You’re talking about his career—his career is his,” McDaniel remarked. “I just wish people would take a moment to understand that discussing his future is not in his best interest right now. It’s crucial that everyone concerned puts his health first.”

McDaniel clarified that he does not expect Tagovailoa to play in the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks. He emphasized that the only opinions that matter in this situation are those of Tagovailoa himself and the medical professionals assessing him.

In light of these developments, the consensus among coaches appears to be clear: the priority must be on Tua Tagovailoa’s health and overall well-being rather than on the pressures of returning to competitive play. As the season progresses, the Dolphins organization, along with many within the NFL, continue to advocate for the importance of player safety, especially concerning head injuries.