Op-Ed: The NFL Needs to Keep a Closer Eye on Their Players

The NFL has failed players time and time again with regards to concussion protocols. This has to end.

Overall, concussions have dipped significantly due to better helmet technology, as the number used to be high as 281 in 2016. However, as much as 135 concussions have been accounted for, so far, this current season. It was reported during week 16 that concussion protocol has remained the same, meaning more hasn’t been done to examine players in the middle of games.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a prime example of this. He's had two concussions this season. After one especially hard hit, he was slow to get up to his feet, stumbled and fell over. Showing obvious signs of a concussion Tagovailoa was immediately taken out of the game and taken to the locker room for further examination, but concussion protocol was NOT followed. Instead, he was allowed to play in the second half, finishing the game. This disregard for Tagovailoa's long-term health and safety was irresponsible, to say the least.

All seemed well as the Dolphins started off 3-0 and were set to play the Bengals in Cincinnati. During that game, he suffered another devastating hit. At first it looked like a normal sack, but, alarmingly, Tagovailoa's fingers became locked in an unnatural position. On replay, viewers can see Defensive Tackle Josh Tupou grabbed Tagovailoa by his hips and threw him to the ground and banged his head hard on the turf. The medical team rushed to him. Ultimately, Tagovailoa would be transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He was released shortly after and flew home with the team.

After this incident, many medical specialists encouraged Tagovailoa to hang up his cleats. Bennet Omalu, the neuropathologist who was the first to discover CTE brain damage in football players, Tweeted“ Tua, my brother. I love you as much as I love my son. Stop playing. Stop. Hang your helmet and gallantly walk away.” Omalu told TMZ sports he believes that Tagovailoa had “suffered severe, long term permanent brain damage.” Tagovailoa, a junior quarterback, thought otherwise and decided to continue his career in football.

He returned after missing two weeks and went on a five-game winning streak. Everything looked good for the Dolphins, but that came to an end when the Dolphins were matched up against the Packers on Christmas Day. It was an important game, as the Dolphins had lost there last three. With two minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Tagovailoa got tackled after quickly tossing the ball to Durham Smythe, hitting his head once again. No one seemed to notice, and Tagovailoa went on playing. It wasn’t until he threw three straight interceptions in the 4th quarter that people began thinking something wasn't right. Tagovailoa was later put back in concussion protocol and missed the two final regular season games. Now that the Dolphins are in the postseason, the question on everyone's mind is "Will Tua play?"

Football is the most popular sport in America with millions of fans watching every Sunday. It's sad to see that fans are more concerned with life-threatening hits more than coaches and training staff. The NFL needs to keep a closer eye on their players on the field and instruct coaches to pull players when a player's very life is at risk. There can't be this much neglect in a billion dollar industry that has every resource at its fingertips.