What Happens Next for Tua Tagovailoa?: The Dangerous Impact of a Third Concussion
Concussions in sports, particularly in football, are a concerning aspect of the game that athletes need to consider. Athletes who have sustained repeated head injuries face increasingly severe consequences, not only in their athletic careers but in their long-term health. Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, suffered his third diagnosed concussion during a game this past Thursday, raising alarms about his future. What happens in the brain following a concussion, and why is there an urgent call for him to consider retirement? Let’s dive deep into the science of concussions, the story of other athletes like Junior Seau, and the systemic issues with current concussion protocols.
The Growing Crisis of Concussions in Football
Before we look specifically at Tua Tagovailoa, it’s important to understand the broader context. Football has always been a contact-heavy sport, but only in recent years has the full impact of concussions been widely acknowledged. Studies indicate that football players at all levels are particularly prone to head injuries, with an estimated 99% of former NFL players showing signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in a study conducted by Dr. Ann McKee at Boston University’s CTE Center. The study examined the brains of 111 former NFL players and found CTE in 110 of them.
CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that stems from repeated head trauma, leading to cognitive decline, memory loss, depression, and, eventually, dementia. For a player like Tagovailoa, who is still in the early stages of his professional career, this kind of diagnosis, years down the line, could be life-altering. This has spurred many athletes, fans, and medical professionals to raise the alarm.
What Happens After a Concussion?
To understand why Tua Tagovailoa’s third concussion is such a critical issue, we need to look at the science behind brain injuries. When a player experiences a concussion, the brain is shaken within the skull, causing a range of neurological issues. The brain cells are affected by a metabolic crisis, where the energy required for healing far exceeds what the brain can supply. This leads to cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion, as well as visual problems.
The First 48 Hours: A Critical Window
The first 48 hours after a concussion are vital. During this period, the brain is in a vulnerable state, and rest is essential. Tagovailoa is likely experiencing common symptoms of concussion, including dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and sensitivity to light and sound. Research suggests that 80-90% of concussions resolve within 7-10 days, but for some, particularly those who have sustained multiple concussions, symptoms can persist for weeks or even months.
The brain’s healing process is complex and unpredictable. What makes Tua’s situation more concerning is that he has sustained three concussions in less than a year, a significant red flag. Studies show that sustaining one concussion increases the risk of subsequent concussions, and with each injury, recovery time lengthens, and the brain’s resilience weakens.
The Importance of Comprehensive Cognitive and Visual Assessments
One of the key tools in managing concussions is the use of cognitive and visual assessments. These tests help doctors determine the extent of the injury and establish a baseline for the athlete’s cognitive function before and after the concussion. For Tua Tagovailoa, these assessments are crucial in understanding how well his brain is recovering and whether he is ready to return to play.
However, while cognitive assessments have become a standard part of concussion protocols, the visual system, which plays a critical role in brain function, is often under-evaluated. The visual system is responsible for processing a large portion of sensory information, coordinating balance, eye movement, and spatial awareness. Damage to this system can result in significant impairments, even if cognitive tests appear normal.
What the NFL is Missing: The Role of the Visual System
Despite advances in concussion management, the NFL and many of its teams still overlook the importance of the visual system. A concussion can disrupt the brain’s ability to process visual information, leading to symptoms like blurred vision, difficulty tracking moving objects, and dizziness. Research shows that up to 69% of athletes with concussions experience visual impairments.
Yet, these issues often go undetected because many concussion assessments focus solely on cognitive recovery. A comprehensive evaluation of both cognitive and visual functions is necessary to ensure that players like Tagovailoa are truly recovering, rather than returning to play too soon. Visual symptoms can be subtle but are critical in understanding the full impact of a concussion.
Second Impact Syndrome: The Deadly Risk of a Second Concussion
The greatest danger for Tua Tagovailoa right now is the risk of Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). This occurs when a second concussion is sustained before the brain has fully healed from the first. SIS can cause rapid and severe brain swelling, which is often fatal. The brain is not only more vulnerable but also less capable of regulating its healing process.
Second Impact Syndrome is rare but devastating. Athletes who sustain concussions are 3x more likely to experience SIS if they return to play too early. A player in Tagovailoa’s position, with multiple recent concussions, is at a particularly high risk. The potential for long-term brain damage, including CTE, is exponentially greater for athletes who suffer from multiple concussions.
What is CTE, and Why is it So Dangerous?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is the result of repeated head trauma and is characterized by the build-up of tau proteins in the brain. These proteins form clumps that slowly spread and kill brain cells, leading to cognitive decline, memory loss, depression, and, eventually, full-blown dementia. In a study by Boston University, researchers found that 87% of the brains of former football players showed signs of CTE, with the severity of the condition correlating directly to the number of years played.
For players like Tua Tagovailoa, who have already experienced multiple concussions early in their careers, the risk of developing CTE is significant. The disease often remains undiagnosed until after death, but symptoms such as mood swings, memory issues, and behavioral changes can start showing up years before. In severe cases, CTE has led to devastating outcomes, including early death by suicide, as seen in the case of Junior Seau.
The Story of Junior Seau: A Cautionary Tale of CTE
Few stories highlight the grim reality of CTE like that of Junior Seau, one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers. Seau was a beloved figure in the NFL, known for his leadership, energy, and dedication. Over his 20-year career, he played with an intensity that defined his playing style—but it came at a steep price. Behind the scenes, Seau was enduring the slow and devastating effects of repeated head trauma.
After retiring in 2010, Seau’s mental health began to deteriorate. He struggled with mood swings, memory lapses, and depression. These symptoms are now recognized as early signs of CTE, but at the time, they were largely misunderstood. His decline culminated in a tragic end when, in 2012, Junior Seau took his own life. His family donated his brain for research, and it was confirmed that he had been suffering from advanced CTE.
Seau’s story is not unique. Other former NFL players, including Dave Duerson and Aaron Hernandez, have also been diagnosed with CTE posthumously, having exhibited similar struggles with depression, violence, and mental instability. These tragic stories have helped to raise awareness of the severe risks associated with repeated concussions and the need for better safety measures in the NFL.
The Call for Tua Tagovailoa to Retire
Given the scientific evidence and the cautionary tales of players like Junior Seau, many are urging Tua Tagovailoa to consider retirement. Continuing to play after multiple concussions is not just a risk to his career but to his long-term health. A third concussion in less than a year places him at an exponentially higher risk of developing CTE and other serious neurological conditions.
Medical professionals are becoming increasingly vocal about the dangers of returning to the field too soon. While the drive to compete is strong, the consequences of pushing through concussions can be dire. As seen in the cases of former players, repeated head injuries don’t just end careers—they can end lives.
The Future of Concussion Protocols in the NFL
While the NFL has made strides in improving concussion protocols, many experts believe there is still much work to be done. Comprehensive cognitive and visual assessments should be mandatory, and more attention should be paid to the long-term health of players. The current system still allows players to return to play while they are vulnerable to further injury, often driven by the pressure to perform.
For Tua Tagovailoa, the decisions made in the coming months could shape the rest of his life. The challenge lies not just in physical recovery but in weighing the risks of continuing to play a sport that could cause irreversible damage.
Conclusion
Tua Tagovailoa’s third concussion is a stark reminder of the dangers that come with repeated head injuries in sports. The science is clear: each additional concussion increases the risk of long-term brain damage, including the development of CTE. For Tagovailoa and athletes like him, the decision to continue playing comes with heavy risks that may not fully materialize for years but could be life-altering.
The tragic stories of players like Junior Seau and others serve as cautionary tales. As we learn more about the effects of concussions, it’s evident that more needs to be done to protect athletes from the long-term consequences of these injuries. Whether it’s through stricter concussion protocols, more comprehensive assessments, or difficult retirement decisions, the priority must always be on protecting the brain—because once the damage is done, there is no going back.
