MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.– The Miami Dolphins crowd rose to its feet, making more sound than it had at any point during a 24-0 victory over the New York Jets as novice quarterback Tua Tagovailoa jogged onto the field for his first NFL action.
Ryan Fitzpatrick waved his arms up and down in hopes of pumping up the crowd even louder. Other colleagues clapped and hugged the sideline in anticipation.
Nearly a year given that Tagovailoa suffered a frightening, possibly career-ending hip injury at Alabama on Nov. 16, 2019, it was Tua Time.
2 RelatedIn the last minutes of the game, Dolphins coach Brian Flores informed Tagovailoa to warm up, and with a little over two minutes left, Tagovailoa entered the game, tossing his first two NFL passes, both completions.
Chants of “Tua” rang out as he ran onto the field.
” I understand there was some enjoyment when he entered. Im delighted for Tua,” Flores said.
Fitzpatrick included: “That was just a cool moment for him, simply the reception from the crowd that was here and us on the sideline.”
Tagovailoa likewise ended up being the first left-handed quarterback to finish a pass since Kellen Moore did so for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 of the 2015 season.
” Yeah, I absolutely could hear it. Theres absolutely nothing else playing in the stadium, so I might hear that,” Tagovailoa said. “And that was remarkable. But to just be out there with my teammates, being my first time, and getting the support and love from them, I believe that was extremely remarkable. And then you have a 16-year veterinarian like Fitz, who has no displeasure towards it, as well, whos simply been supportive that entire time. Great drive, bad drive, he comes to the sideline and just talks through his process with why he did some things. Im really lucky to have a mentor like him who is just extremely motivating on the field and then this guy is, like, hes just extremely personable off the field, also.”
After the game, Tagovailoa went back to the field, sitting down at the middle of the 15-yard line alone in full uniform for about 10 minutes soaking in the minute.
He tried to discover the spot where his Dolphins drive ended and then FaceTimed his moms and dads, who could not be there to see him play. They enjoy practically every video game, and he wished to share the moment with him. Since of everything it took for him to get back on that field, he said the conversation was emotional especially.
” The greatest thing that actually stands out to me is simply having the ability to make my parents happy,” Tagovailoa said. “Whether thats Tua as a football gamer, Tua as an individual, Tua as a son, I think thats what brings me the most pleasure is seeing how happy my moms and dads get and then seeing how delighted my household gets, also, with who I am and also what I do.”
Theres nothing else playing in the stadium, so I could hear that,” Tagovailoa stated. To just be out there with my teammates, being my very first time, and getting the assistance and love from them, I believe that was extremely remarkable. Im very lucky to have a mentor like him who is just very motivating on the field and then this guy is, like, hes simply very personalized off the field, as well.”
On November 16, 2019, Tua suffered a possibly career-ending injury. He said the discussion was emotional especially since of everything it took for him to get back on that field.
Tagovailoas first pass began a naked bootleg in his own goal, and he throw a brief pass over two Jets protectors to running back Patrick Laird for a 2-yard conclusion. His 2nd pass was also outstanding, a 7-yard conclusion to receiver Jakeem Grant for the groups only third-down conversion of the video game.
” The naked in your own end zone isnt the most convenient of plays, and he went in and completed that one and then finished the third-down, so I think that was a cool moment for him,” Fitzpatrick stated. “Just the reception, too, of the fans that were here.
Tagovailoa stated himself healthy, and he showed he could make the mobile plays that made him unique at Alabama.
“It was just a peek of whats going to be to come,” said Dolphins defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, who offered Tagovailoa a bear hug after the game.
Tua Tagovailoa returned to the field and hes relaxing the 15-yard-line in complete uniform. It looks like hes soaking this minute in.
On November 16, 2019, Tua suffered a potentially career-ending injury. On October 18, 2020, he threw his first NFL passes. pic.twitter.com/q5OHSNQe2c— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 18, 2020
