Behind the scenes of the wildly popular American pastime of football, which millions of us watch every Thursday and Sunday during the autumn months, lurks an uncomfortable but necessary conversation: head trauma.

The Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained yet another concussion last night during a game against the Buffalo Bills. Just yards away from a touchdown, the quarterback rushed for the first down, leaning headfirst into Damar Hamlin of the Bills, a defender who experienced temporary cardiac arrest just two years ago while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tagovailoa’s head snapped sharply to the left upon impact, and when he hit the ground, he raised his arm with a balled fist, which experts have noted is a telltale sign of severe head trauma.

This isn’t the first time the Dolphins starting QB has suffered a concussion. He sustained a couple of big hits in the 2022 season. After the second hit, he had to get carted off the field. Now the concern is pouring in regarding the future of the 26-year-old star. Former football players are posting on X that young Tua should retire, saying he “has the rest of his life in front of him.” Beck Sullivan writes,

Concussions and repeated blows to the head are key risk factors in long-term brain injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a serious condition that can cause early dementia and death.

The incident arrives in light of former NFL quarterback Brett Favre bringing more light on the reality of concussions. Favre played for the Green Bay Packers for sixteen seasons, but today, says that he believes he suffered hundreds if not thousands of minor concussions. In addition, a high school quarterback, Caden Tellier, died of head injuries during a game in August.

Suffering too many concussions can result in mental health problems, including severe depression, with victims running the risk of dementia or even early death.

NFL reporter Kevin Patra says that there is no current timeline for Tagovailoa’s return. Even at his young age of 26, it might be time for the star to hang up the helmet and prioritize protecting his physical and mental health before he suffers something worse in the future.