Did Dolphins Knowingly Put Tua In Danger Of Concussion & Cheat NFL Protocols? | Pat McAfee Reacts 

Someone needs to be held accountable for this. We clearly saw how disoriented he was on Sunday. I was baffled that he was allowed to come back into the game and was genuinely confused because of how the NFL “pushes” for players safety especially head injuries..then for him to come out and play just a few days later is disgusting.

As someone who has had concussions in the past, it is extremely easy to fake those “test” they give you after a head injury

How is it hard to image there's a cover up going on here when for years the NFL was covering up what they new about the connection between football and CTE/mental health risks? Especially in a franchise currently being investigated for unrelated scandals.

After he got hit against Buffalo, he shook his head. I've hurt my back a couple times, not once did I shake my head. I've been concussed, I've shaken my head and had to get carried off the field. Someone in the Dolphins gotta be held accountable cause Tua ain't have no back injury. It's a real shame that they failed him like this.

how is it so shocking for Pat to consider that an NFL organization downplayed the seriousness of a head injury for one of their key players... isn't that like THE THING we've all been mad at the NFL for since like a decade ago?

If Tua was lied to or forced to play while injured we probably will never know. We won't know until there are lawsuits years later. The NFL is never going to admit any fault.

As soon as he hit the ground and I saw the hands clench. My heart dropped, I'm so glad he's walking and coherent. I hope there's no lasting effects. I truly do believe somebody knew he got a concussion the week before and still let him play though

That injury made my stomach hurt prayers to Tua on a speedy recovery

I pray Tua comes back to 100%, Seeing him like that made me sick... I broke my neck wrestling, shot for a takedown and hit my head on the mat; my arms went limp and were involuntarily moving while I was awake watching. Shattered the c4 in 7 places. my upper body was left paralyzed for 6-12 months. after a successful neck fusion and rehab I worked back to 100%. I thought it was a neck injury for sure..... I hope he can heal back to 100% from this trauma.

If any player exhibits stumbling or stiffness loss of consciousness like tua did either time, it should be mandatory 14 day non contact.

My guess is the " Independent Doctor " did not see the video of Tua stumble at the Bills game & just went off his symptoms. Tua, most likely said I hurt my back and was able to pass the concussion test. Video of an injury may or may not be available, but when it is, it should be used in an injury evaluation 100% of the time.

Didn't Calvin Johnson talked about him playing games after getting concussions? I don't remember if the team knew. But teams hide so many things from the public or league office. Deshaun Watson also comes to mind.

The NFL seems oddly silent about this.

I loved the Cincinnati crowd , they were chanting, get up Tua, get up Tua!

Dolphins were more concerned with there wins then player safety Mike McDaniel knew in the bills game that Tua had suffered a concussion and didn’t care what loop holes he had to go through to get Tua back on the field he needs to be held accountable for this.

Thursday night football is basically let’s see how many careers we can shorten.

I don't think anyone is saying he was forced to play, but that someone needs to be a leader and stand up and say NO.

Maybe it is a "dangerous assumption," but it's equally dangerous to constantly believe that the NFL is doing right by its players when - time and time again - they have proven themselves totally irresponsible if not recklessly indifferent to their own players' safety. If it's a "dangerous" assumption, at least it errs in the direction of holding the league accountable instead of letting them keep getting away with this. If this kind of pressure isn't constantly applied to the league, someone WILL die - it's a matter of time. Let the league take this heat and don't chide people for the "dangerous" assumption, because - in my opinion - it's actually all about safety.

The fact that they activated the third string quarterback for that game is very interesting.

On a question the HC nodded yes when he said no when asked if he knew of a head injury during Sunday’s game. That was a concussion for sure I’ve head my bell rung many times and that was a concussion sign. Then Thursday man that’s just sad.

All that "progress" the NFL has made on player safety means dick. We ALL saw Tua hit his head against the Bills. Trying to gaslight us by saying he didn't hit his head when we know what we saw and then last night happens. 🤬

I live how Pat just loves to slip into the conversation how he personally made the nfl refs better 😂

Love the take on this. Regardless, there should be a good hard look to see if something slipped through the cracks. Mistakes versus malevolence is a important line to make distinctions with.

Isn't a back injury to maybe the spine more dangerous than a concussion? Concussion or back injury he should not have played Thursday.

Hope he’s ok. Only seen dudes freeze up like that in ufc.

That really sucked the happiness out of my watching experience and I was barely able to watch the rest. When that happens I always think of their loved ones in the crowd. I hope the best. Bad day for the nfl

When boxers or mma fighters get knocked out they often display the symtoms Tua showed right after he landed. Body goes ridgit as well as arms and legs. He was out cold for some time.

Hopefully he’s ok, I have been through that before with my sons telling me I’m okay and said no you ain’t . Both got really mad at me when I said you are out for two months minimum and wouldn’t talk to me. I would rather have them mad at me than not being able to talk to either one FOREVER.

The Dolphins literally just fired the HC who wouldn't go along with the shady BS they were trying to pull.

After the way he was stumbling last week? Not a chance on earth he should’ve been playing. If that was a “back” injury last week, then I’m the pope.

This is the best, well thought out conversation on the topic I’ve seen. Great job. The high school players in the comment section talking about “in their experience” are ridiculous.

The blow Tua's head took from the body slam, regardless of the previous injuries, would be enough to cause the seizure we saw on the field. There are two moves I've seen lately that should be outlawed--body slams into the ground is one of them. The other is this thing where tacklers will hold a running back up, keeping him from ending the play by going down, and a linebacker or d DB coming in on a free shot to the running back's head.

What blows my mind, he was clearly concussed Sunday. That wasn't a back injury stumble. That was a head injury stumble. Whoever cleared him to not only stay in the game but then play 4 days later needs to be fired and the Dolphins need to be investigated. I don't know how much control the head coach has over if Tua plays or not, but he needs to be held responsible too.

We are finding out now that not only did and independent Doctor clear him Sunday when the injury happened, but cleared him again after the game Sunday, check him Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as well. So if anything Mike McDaniel made sure he was ok and cleared. So what happened? IDK.

The nfl safety protocol requires players with concussions to be out for 5 days. They knew they had a Thursday night game coming up and labeled it as something else! This is so dirty

The Tua thing on Sunday reminds me of the Mahomes’ spinal concussion he suffered against the brown in the playoff game a couple years back. Mahomes had a very very similar stumble.

There is no way to medically diagnose a concussion. You’re asked questions and that’s about it. Not hard to bypass at all

The dolphins front office and medical staff failed Tua. Someone or multiple people need to be held accountable. The bro was literally ROCKED last Sunday, it was clearly a head injury and he was 100% concussed

It's sad that as former players you aren't aware of the procedure and protocol. The independent doctor only makes a recommendation. The team doctors still make the final determination/decision on a players return to field of play after a potential concussion.

It's these kind of interviews that show why Hawk and McAfee are the best journalists, they don't throw anyone under the bus and cover all angles while also expressing their emotions.

Knowing these players, injury or concussion would not stop them from playing there in the field. The hit on Tua was just that massive. We can't blame Tua, we can't blame the doctors if Tua did pass the "current concussion protocol". What they need to do is to redefine the protocol, make it stern and accurate for all.

Raven's fan here, with young sons who've played football. Seeing how Tua was obviously concussed on Sunday and then again on Thursday, this incident brought tears to my eyes ! Prayers up for you Tua ! 🙏

I'm a UK based fan and also watch a lot of Rugby. Similar contact injuries and also concussion protocols. There is no way a player stumbling in that way would be allowed back in the game. In Rugby we have doctors who are not affiliated to the two teams (I think) who watch the live feed but can also review footage. So if a player 5 minutes earlier gets a head injury, and shows clear signs but it is missed at the time, the doctor can call them off for a HIA (head injury assessment). Criteria 1 is that if a player shows clear signs of suspected concussion they are immediately removed from play and cannot return. This is also the case in training.

The only reasonable take I have seen so far. Thank you guys so much

I think Pat's words at the end are so true, they really could have gotten ahead of this. People were not convinced that during the Bills game that it was a Back Injury, and so they were already talking as though Miami was doing something very sketchy. And for him to have what appeared to be the worst head trauma i've ever seen immediately after all this discussion just ignited the situation.

Anyone one else felt shame/ helpless when they kept showing Tua twist his fingers there was no need to show that so many times the hit I get but why show a man when he could be fighting for his life

The power of prayer is real and I am with the million of my fellow Americans sending my prayers into the Universe for this man, much love.

Pat and AJ bring up great points that until the investigation comes out, we cant push judgements. The system in place for concussions would be next to impossible to overrule for a team and player safety is top priority. I just want to point out that someones back locking up can keep their spine from being fully mobile and hitting the ground with locked up muscles can cause severe pain and damage. Im not an athlete but i have general back muscle problems and quite often my neck gets tweaked from just a slight muscle twitch. It can definitely happen to an athlete being slammed to the ground when range of motion is limited.

Thank you guys for a refreshing fair amd honest take on the situation, it's times like like these where I can't watch all these self important pundits on ESPN get all preachy about their personal feelings without using any actual intelligence to justify their take. You guys always keep it real and that's why I love y'all, keep up the awesome channel!

The fingers doing what they were doing with Tua is called "posturing". It is evidence of head injury (concussion). I would also add that Tua's head impact to the ground last week was symptomatic of a concussion, regardless of what what Tua thought it was (back injury). His leg wobble is brain related, not back related.

It was it seemed like everybody in the Dolphins organization, from the head coach to the ownership didn't give a damn about their franchise quarterback. He was concussed against buffalo, and then they said oh it's just a back injury he'll be fine. And then in less than a week he was back playing again and then got really concussed. Spending 10 minutes on the field before being stretchered off. Player safety and health should come first.

Pat McAfee is the only person that has had common sense in this situation he’s not just throwing out allegations and is actually look at this from a logical standpoint

Someone is getting fired sued and more than likely both. Prayers to Tua and his family. Let's take a second to forget about football.

I think one of the things that needs to be in the conversation is doctors over riding players' choices. For example: Justine Herbert playing and pushing to play after his rib injury. While it was awesome to see him fight through, that was incredibly dangerous. Players want to play, which makes sense. But what if the doc is on the fence, but the player really wants to play, so they give in. I think that's a problem. Drs not only need to protect players from the NFL and teams from pushing players into dangerous situations, but they sometimes need to protect players from their own choices.

Well I have one question; what does the concussion rule say? Based on the rule him stumbling disqualified him from the game. He never should have came back in the field period by their rules

We'll see how much of an investigation actually happens. If so, I'm curious about what the medical explanation for Tua's "back injury" was. Like what kind of back injury causes someone to grab their head, shake their head, and then collapse? I'd like to know what McDaniel said to the medical staff when Tua was cleared- like, "what do you mean he doesn't have a concussion? If he doesn't have one, then what's wrong with his back?" It's hard to imagine how you see a player's head bounce off the turf, see the player collapse shortly after, and not inquire about a head injury

Both of the incidents happened with him bouncing the back of his head off the turf. Im very curious if there is any research to indicate if artificial turf being a harder surface with not as much "give" has a increase of concussion chance.

We all saw it. Tua is not okay.

Dolphins motivation: undefeated and on top of the AFC east. A place they haven't been very often in recent times. There is a chance they fudged some things up to keep the party rolling.

The San Jose Sharks did the same thing to Pavelski in the playoffs vs Vegas...he was bleeding through the helmet and it was just a "bell ringing"

Very sad to see that happen to any player playing a rough sport. Speedy recovery to Tua

When I had back injuries it would be painful to stand up from a prone or supine position. TUA stumbled after he had stood up and started walking which then led to wobbling. Nothing about this sequence screams back injury. Miami was so desperate to throw TUA back in the game to win🤦. I hope TUA recovers but the Miami organization is looking so bad these last couple of years.😕

I can't help but relate to most of the comments. I literally felt sick when they showed the replay and watched in slow mo. It's honestly terrifying some of these hits they lay on each other sometimes

I remember some odd years ago, when the Lions still sucked but were having a good game, Stafford took a shot late and got up a little wobbly, less so than Tua on Sunday. They pulled him from the game causing us to lose, then made him sit out the next week (not a 4 day short week, a full week) and cost us that game too.

Played football in college, currently play rugby. The NFL needs to adopt what Rugby league and Rugby Union has the “HIA” (Head Injury Assessment). The Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocol is a three-stage process introduced by teams to assist with the identification, diagnosis and management of head impact events with the potential for a concussion. This off- field screening tool includes a check of symptoms, memory assessment and balance evaluation. Only used in the professional game, the results of this off-field assessment are compared to a previously conducted 'baseline assessment', or to a normative result.

In NASCAR if you get a concussion your out next week no matter what Kurt Busch had one in September still isn’t back yet. So it’s completely insane that Tua was playing days after one

It is obvious that despite all the new protocols concerning concussions that the nfl as a whole still doesn’t get it. When you think it is ok for him to play after how he appeared on Sunday means you don’t get it. I think they were more concerned with getting him back on the field instead of being cautious and letting him sit the game out.

The same people saying "tua decided to play" are gonna be the same people upset when Tua retires because of this

After rewatching this hit last night it’s not only truly scary but it’s honestly even more mind blowing that he was even in the field for that to happen. I thought it was very clear that the NFL is way way more strict about concussions now and basically across the board if you get a concussions and have a Thursday game you won’t be playing. Let alone when a dude pretty obviously more than likely got knocked out. That’s so wild and I feel terrible for the guy. He better sit out at least 2-3 after this latest one

We need further review into head injury's tua probably shouldn't have played last night but yet they thru him in the game on a short week risking his brain health and life... Irresponsible on all levels looking at the training staff

I'm not a pro athlete but I got a concussion a few weeks ago racing bmx. It was over a week before I felt somewhat normal again and will wait a month before I race again. Hope he recovers well.

People are forgetting one thing, it's their own "brothers in arms" that go after opposing players with the intention to hurt them so bad that they have to exit the game. ESPECIALLY if it's a qb since the nfl is a qb league. Now everyone wants to wash they're hands like Pontius Pilate and place the blame solely on the ppl that are the ones that have more to lose if their qb gets injured. Reminds me of how the nfl banned the throat slashing celebration BUT used it to promote a video game or something.

I'm sorry to say this but AJ and Pat are absolutely wrong in thinking this was a back injury. His back wasn't slammed into the ground go back and watch the video from 4 days ago where he took the first hit. His head slammed into the ground and bounced off of it. That is called whiplash. He probably got a concussion hence the reason he couldn't walk or stand up. You would honestly think two people who have played a long time in the NFL would understand how someone's head bouncing off the ground like that affects the entire body. I'm disappointed in you guys. I mean, look at the way his body is given up and went into like fall on concussion mode while he was being spun around before he even hit the ground. There's something wrong after that hit three days ago. Somebody did something to bypass protocols and not have him properly checked out and put his life in danger.

sad hope he’s ok

Why is it so hard to believe that the Dolphins told the neuro guy that Tua hurt his back and ankle (the line they have been rolling with for the whole week) in order to dissuade him from thinking it is a concussion? They are only obligated to “check” on them and if the team is sayin “oh no he fell down because his back and ankle” the nuero guy is already gonna be taking that into consideration and not going to necessarily be worried about head trauma.

When the burden is "Prove this isn't a different injury before claiming concussion", this crap is gonna happen... They should ASSUME concussion in a situation like Tua against Buffalo, and go from there... Everybody watching knew it wasn't a "back injury"

Anyone who’s ever played a sport knows, when you’re hurt it’s hard to sit out. You feel like you’re letting the team down. The dolphins shouldn’t have let him suit up but Tua chose to suit up and the worst case scenario happened. Blame lies on Tua and the phins, I’m praying for a speedy recovery!

I think Tua himself had a lot to do with that. It was obviously a concussion against the Bills but I'm sure Tua didn't want to come out. So he said it was his back. And the Dr's are kinda dependent on the player being honest about what they felt or feel like.

There's probably an unsung rule amongst qbs or star players to learn the questions they ask you in concussion protocol, to know them front and back when the moment comes where the team needs you to fake it to stay on the field. I'm sure there's more to the protocol.

What I find hard to believe is that we saw his finger posturing and then hours later he was released from the hospital to fly home with the team... How did the fingers happen if there wasnt serious brain injury? I also find it hard to believe that Sunday didnt contribute to the severity of Thursday.... you almost never see that finger stuff with normal concussions.

Even back in high school many of the football players (including me) would purposely manipulate our concussion test results so that if you got one you could still pass and go play. The doctors then could've cleared him by the books, but personal judgement is also a test that should need to be passed and we all saw that he shouldn't have went back into the game Sunday.

Even if he was cleared after that game I believe that he should have been forced to sit out this game for cautionary reasons. And after this event. I wouldn't be surprised if nlfpa makes a push to follow something along those lines with any head injury in the future

This is the epitome of an objective conversation.

Tee higgins had concussions in two of the games this season and was on the field Thursday night. Health and safety is not a priority. It’s a gladiator sport.

How come no one talks about the initial issue which is how he was taken down. You get slammed down with that much weight and momentum from the way he was slung around and concussed or not u gonna have same results. See it all the time in fights. Head kick knockouts usually result in the same distortion of their extremities.

The Dolphins messed up bad, and the NFL is on the hook too for just turning a blind eye to the blatant, obvious disregard for the concussion protocol last Sunday. McDaniel, as a rookie coach finding himself at 3-0 got greedy and may have cost this young man his career. Heads need to roll all over the place over this. This is just a disgrace and it did not need to happen. From the coaches to the medical staff to the NFL, all of them failed Tua. Prayers for Tua!

McDaniel knew that man was hurt last Sunday

the Dolphins organization must be held accountable! To me, it's like they put getting some wins was more important than a player's well-being and safety. The NFL has been making it a point to be really careful with any concussions... it's a sad situation. With what happened last night vs the Bengals, Tua should be kept out of action until Week 6, at a minimum. Extensive testing needs to be done. All it could take is one more bad hit or head injury, and he could be out indefinitely. Roger Goodell needs to intervene, like he always does. Tua should have a long career. It's vitally important to get him sent to however many specialists, as possible. He should NOT be on the field, until multiple doctors say it's okay!

That was very scary to see and hope Tua has a long recovery

At the 2:00 minute mark, Pat is saying everything I've been feeling since I saw this, that is: dang! Poor Tua. He is finally playing well, has a good team around him and seems to have good coaches, and then this happens. Like, dang dog!

I only know about a bad shoulder pinching nerves causing some finger tingling and arthritic pain. But what tua felt on that field for his fingers to be like that is seriously horrifying. I immediately started praying that he’s ok. Still am for his recovery. He was without a doubt the most exciting player to watch this season.

Yes all needs to be said

I saw a graph earlier that Miami was the team that reported the least amount of concussions per season per league. The average was around 9 and they reported 3.

7:46 pat with all due respect the original project that designed the atom bomb had 10,000+ people working on it and not one person said anything until we dropped them on Japan. So it is more than possible for a lot of people to keep a secret. Especially when you have Non disclosure agreements that can get you thrown in jail and every possession and dollar stripped from you

What it boils down to is last Sunday, SOMEONE MAY HAVE lied. Tua may have lied well enough for the team doc and consulting neurologist to clear him to play the 2nd half Sunday and Thursday night. The doctor and consultant may have lied to the coaching staff and cleared Tua to play when he shouldn't have been cleared. It's possible that he may not have exhibited any concussion symptoms in the locker room, and no one was lying. We just don't know, and it's possible we may never know. I do believe that he should have been put into the concussion protocol, based on his behavior on Sunday after hitting his head. The fact his injury was classified as a back injury when he immediately grabbed his head, and that he had 2 bouts of imbalance prior to the trainer reaching him screams some sort of shenanigans, but it's tough to put the finger on who's to blame based on the facts as the general public knows it.

This is going to blow up. The NFL looks bad. This calls into question the validity of the protocol. How affiliated are the doctors to the league or teams that are making these decisions?

But here is the thing… multiple leading doctors in the concussion field have came out and said there is no way he didn’t have a concussion Sunday versus the bills and that there is no way he should have been playing just 4 days after.

If you know anything about Tua…. He will always pushed to play. Coaches and doctors would have had to tell him no go. Tua will always want to play it’s in his DNA. Terrible situation! Prayers for Tua.

Traumatic brain injury never heal while you may look good physically and be able to function the symptoms linger or may not show for years. I suffered one 17 years ago while being rear ended at a dead stop and the vehicle that struck me was traveling 70mph

Acting like that wasn't a concussion on Sunday is one of the wildest things the NFL has done lol.