An immovable object versus an unstoppable force—everyone’s favorite hypothetical word for thought. Come the changing of the seasons, we see this hypothetical play out on the gridiron every Sunday.
From the comfort of our couches, we watch players go to war on the field, putting their bodies on the line to propel their teams to victory. It’s the sunken fallacy of every athlete at every level. “Why wouldn’t I lay everything out there to help my team win? That bruise I got from getting hit? It’ll be fine. Just shake it off and get back out there.”
That verbiage looms large as the scientific community immerses itself further into the sports world, particularly within more violent contact sports like football. Traumatic brain injuries, specifically, have led to chronic issues later on in life; bipolar disease, early onset dementia, and most infamously, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE.
Earlier this month, this discussion has been rekindled, particularly with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered his third concussion in the last 24 months. His repeated traumatic brain injuries have led many to ask: is it worth it? At the moment, and to no surprise, Tagovailoa has reportedly decided to continue playing.
Recently, with the introduction of the guardian cap—an extra layer of protection on the outside of the helmet—there have been promising signs for player safety. Yet, these caps are still optional for players. Moreover, considering his extensive history, even if Tagovailoa were to wear one, another dive for one more yard could cost him his future.
So, should he play again? I don’t think he should. It is far too costly to risk getting injured again for him and his future. Tagovailoa is a young man with his whole life ahead of him. He needs to step back and realize he is bargaining a few years of playing for decades with family and friends.
Myles Geoghegan
I’m a sophomore from Cumberland, Rhode Island (Go Rhody!). I love to talk about everything Boston Sports, especially the Celtics and Patriots. I typically write about what’s going on in the professional sports world. Feel free to reach out and chat anytime!
