Nick Saban Offers Considerate Take on Tua Tagovailoa's NFL Future After Concussion

Patrick Andres | Sep 13, 2024

Tagovailoa played three seasons for Saban at Alabama from 2017 to '19. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will always be tied together by the events of Jan. 8, 2018.

In one of the most famous coaching decisions in the history of American sports, Saban inserted Tagovailoa at halftime of the national championship with the Crimson Tide trailing Georgia 13–0. A half of football and an overtime later, Alabama was the national champion.

As Tagovailoa has navigated the turbulent, injury-filled years since his shining moment, Saban has continued to look out for his quarterback. On Friday, Saban offered advice to Tagovailoa on The Pat McAfee Show as the Miami Dolphins quarterback deals with his third diagnosed concussion in two years.

"I will talk to him today, I haven't been able to get ahold of him yet," Saban said. "Tua's such a great competitor, but I think this has to be a medical decision. ... I think Tua and his family should listen to all the medical evidence ... and they shouldn't be influenced by anybody else."

"Tua is such a great competitor and he's a great person..

I think Tua and his family should listen to all the medical evidence and they shouldn't be influenced by anybody else" ~ Nick Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FXAnUWAzOP

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 13, 2024

Tagovailoa suffered his injury in the third quarter of the Dolphins' 31–10 loss to the Buffalo Bills Thursday, generating an outpouring of support from across the football world.

"I can only tell you what kind of player he is. He's a great competitor," Saban said. "He's a great person, and this is a great family."

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