The National Football League Player’s Association is threatening the league with legal action after a severe injury to Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa suffered what appeared to be a scary concussion during the team’s 27-15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, as he was stretchered off the field and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center via ambulance.
“Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing,” tweeted the NFLPA.
Tagovailoa had previously suffered a head injury on Sunday in his team’s win against the Buffalo Bills, but he was able to go back into the game.
It appeared he hit the back of his head, and the quarterback clearly had some instability when he stood up — as he then stumbled to the ground.
Many assumed Tagovailoa had suffered a head injury, but the Dolphins classified it as a back injury, and the quarterback returned to the game.
According to Pro Football Talk, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith delivered a statement to former NFL players and current Amazon broadcasters Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman on Thursday night, threatening serious action to keep its players safe.
“We insisted on these rules to avoid exactly this scenario,” Smith said. “We will pursue every legal option, including making referrals against the doctors to licensing agencies and the team that is obligated to keep our players safe.”
The NFLPA meanwhile has been criticized by former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
“We’ll fight like hell to keep QBs who sexually assault women from getting suspended for too long but when one of the good guys has concussive symptoms, returns to the game, doesn’t enter concussion protocol, and is allowed to play 4 days later, ‘our investigation is ongoing,’” tweeted Schwartz.
Schwartz was referring to the NFLPA’s treatment of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, whom the NFLPA recommended be suspended six games for violating the league’s conduct policy. At the same time, the NFL pushed for him to be out the entire season. Watson ended up being suspended 11 games and fined $5 million.
