Nick Saban coached Tua Tagovailoa at the University of Alabama and the former Crimson Tide head coach believes that his old quarterback should decide his NFL future solely based on the advisement of medical professionals, not loud voices within the league or the media, after yet another startling concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.
Discussing Tagovailoa’s head injury on Thursday Night Football during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Saban detailed how important football is to Tagovailoa and his family. The coach turned College GameDay panelist also said the need to listen to medical professionals goes both ways, as Tagovailoa needs to be ready to accept an answer he may not want to hear.
“Tua is such a great competitor, but I think this has to be a medical decision,” Saban said. “I think Tua and his family should listen to all the medical evidence to make sure that you’re not compromising your future health-wise by continuing to play football. But I think that’s a medical decision, I don’t think that’s something for me to speculate on. I know some people are doing it, and more power to them. But I think Tua should not be influenced by that, the family should not be influenced by that. It should be all based on medical professionals.”
“Tua is such a great competitor and he’s a great person..
I think Tua and his family should listen to all the medical evidence and they shouldn’t be influenced by anybody else” ~ Nick Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FXAnUWAzOP
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 13, 2024
Saban went on to explain how driven and team-first Tagovailoa is, which makes it hard for him to adjust approach to football and likely even harder to walk away from it.
Saban has firsthand experience with navigating Tagovailoa’s slight frame and all-out style as a coach. At Alabama, the former 5-star prospect suffered a significant hip injury while still in the game up 35-7 in the third quarter.
“One thing he doesn’t know how to do is give up on a play,” Saban explained. “He’s a competitive, tough minded guy that’s trying to set the tone for his team, and ends up getting injured because of it.”
“You ask Tua how he’s doing & he’s gonna say I’m doing great and thanks for asking..
One thing he doesn’t know how to do is give up on a play..
He’s a competitive, tough minded guy that’s trying to set the tone for his team..
His teammates love him & I’ve never seen him ever… https://t.co/9VDMvDSEkj pic.twitter.com/CYOC2h5l4x
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 13, 2024
Even in unfortunate circumstances, this is why it is so valuable to have a voice like Saban embrace a media career in retirement. He has firsthand relationships with tons of players in college football and the NFL, and can take viewers into the mind of a coach like Miami’s Mike McDaniel in a situation like this.
With all his experience, Saban seems to be warning both Tagovailoa and his family as well as sports media from jumping to conclusions or acting rashly on a decision that will need time and careful consideration.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.