Poll shows fans unfazed by Tua Tagovailoa’s injury

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A recent poll has shown that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury hardly affects fans’ interest in watching NFL games.

The Dolphins are 3-3 this season, with most of their defeats coming after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29. In the game, Tagovailoa was slammed to the ground before being sidelined due to a severe concussion.

The poll, conducted by research firm Morning Consult, showed that 84 percent of fans believed players with a head injury should be sidelined for two weeks or more. Meanwhile, four percent said players should return to the field after the injury.

Thirty-eight percent of Gen Z and 37 percent of Millennial respondents said head injuries would make them less interested in NFL games. Meanwhile, 27 percent of Gen X and 22 percent of baby boomer participants said otherwise. Regardless, 70 percent of them were unbothered with head injuries, saying it did not affect their interest in watching games.

Previously, in a game against the Buffalo Bills on September 25, Tagovailoa showed a symptom of ataxia after recovering from a slam by Bills linebacker Matt Milano. The 24-year-old was later cleared to play against the Bengals, with the Dolphins insisting it was a back injury.

In Cincinnati, a similar event took place. Tagovailoa was slammed to the ground by Bengals nose tackle Josh Tupou. The game came to a brief halt, and the QB was carted off the field.

Tagovailoa’s concussion sparked debate among fans and experts, with many criticizing the handling of the injury. In the wake of criticism from fans and the league’s players’ union, the independent doctor responsible for checking Tagovailoa’s medical condition and clearing him out to play the Bengals was then fired.

The incident has forced the NFL to update its concussion protocol. Players are now prohibited from re-entering a game after showing “abnormality of balance and stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.”