Concussions

[multistage]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

 

[Jamesw]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

Respect to you and your wife/family.

 

[Dolphins del]

Would love to sit round a table and listen to your stories with a bottle of jack Total respect, my man.....

 

[MARINO1384]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

No offense my guy but your comparison isn’t really comparable. As you stated in your own words that you drink too much, that has most likely caused way more long term damage than the concussions. Already many links to alcohol and dementia. Pray that’s not the case for you but there’s been zero links to a few concussions and long term side effects for those that haven’t taken hundreds of other hits to the head. Tua being a qb hasn’t really sustained those.

 

[BennySwella]

No offense my guy but your comparison isn’t really comparable. As you stated in your own words that you drink too much, that has most likely caused way more long term damage than the concussions. Already many links to alcohol and dementia. Pray that’s not the case for you but there’s been zero links to a few concussions and long term side effects for those that haven’t taken hundreds of other hits to the head. Tua being a qb hasn’t really sustained those.

Yeah Tua is in perfect shape and obviously had 0% long term effects from concussions. For one, he is still alive. Cant be too bad.

OP this is one of the best posts I have ever read on here and it has almost nothing to do with the Dolphins. You cant be that bad if you are writing this good.

Either way, if they told me lose a little off the back end of my life for $240 million, I would do it too.

 

[Zounds]

I've had a lot of concussions. Also played contact football in OL/DL/ST/Fullback positions for 10 years. The concussions I had were bad...the kind where you vomit and have headaches for weeks. I'm now in my late 40's and im totally fine. I have a master's degree, working professional, family and all that...and im not slipping. In fact, I am still acending in life, mentally and physically. My point is that your personal situation is anecdotal. Maybe you are "slipping" becuase you drink too much. Maybe you have other nuerological issues. Maybe is not concussion related. I think we should just let the nuerologists do the work here and not try to apply our own situation to Tua's. Just my 2 cents.

 

[brumdog44]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

You do realize that you tell a story where you gained nothing financially but did what you did and enjoyed it…and despite concussion after concussion came back to it.

It seems more like a story where the conclusion would be for him to keep playing.

 

[BennySwella]

You do realize that you tell a story where you gained nothing financially but did what you did and enjoyed it…and despite concussion after concussion came back to it.

It seems more like a story where the conclusion would be for him to keep playing.

I think he is saying now in his older age, he sees it wasnt worth it.

Either way, Tua is brittle and mediocre. Hope he gets better, and does whatever he wants, away from the Miami Dolphins

 

[Jamesw]

I've had a lot of concussions. Also played contact football in OL/DL/ST/Fullback positions for 10 years. The concussions I had were bad...the kind where you vomit and have headaches for weeks. I'm now in my late 40's and im totally fine. I have a master's degree, working professional, family and all that...and im not slipping. In fact, I am still acending in life, mentally and physically. My point is that your personal situation is anecdotal. Maybe you are "slipping" becuase you drink too much. Maybe you have other nuerological issues. Maybe is not concussion related. I think we should just let the nuerologists do the work here and not try to apply our own situation to Tua's. Just my 2 cents.

Nice post Zounds.

I had a few concussions from football in HS in 1979-81. But in 2015 I had the worst one. I was in Bangkok and I had just finished watching a movie (Guy Ritchie’s Man from Uncle) with 2 friends. Afterwards, we headed across the street to a Korean restaurant. As we walked by a nearby shrine, the world exploded. I found myself on the ground, covered in blood, and couldn’t hear anything. As I gathered myself, I saw bodies (and parts of bodies) and did my best to help the victims. I won’t go into further detail, other than to say, many people lost their lives that day. I had a sever concussion and ruptured eardrum. And I was the lucky one. I survived.

So to those who don’t think I take Tuas concussion seriously….. you’re RONG. But I also accept that everyone recovers differently and I leave it to Tua, the team and league to make that decision. And FFS please wait until the dust settles before making extreme statements calling for him to retire or telling the world gleefully “I told you so”. That behavior started seconds after he was injured. Show some restraint. Show some dignity!

 

[LargoFin]

Yeah, but you were not leaving $170 mil on the table, and you still did it for the love of the game in spite of concussions.

 

[Ray R]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

Thanks.
I found your "insight", via personal experience, to be valuable.

It really is, is as opposed to the "talking heads" so prevalent around here, on this topic of concussions (among other things - ha, ha).

Your history may also be masking diabetes.
No joke.

My diabetes started becoming symptomatic starting just before I turned 50, but it wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 60's.

 

[MrChadRico]

I’ve had many. Many.

I’m no expert, no medical professional, although I am married to an ICU RN, and she is quite familiar with them.

Used to rodeo. A lot. I rode bareback horses for years, although I am the wrong size and shape for it. Hollywood cowboys (me) are BS. Tall and thin, aw shucks, kind of a rarity. Most good bronc riders are smaller, stout, wrestler type guys.

5’6 or so, maybe a buck fifty. These are the guys that do well.

But 6’5 and 180 (at the time) most generally aren’t too good, and I wasn’t. But I loved it, so I did it. For years.

And man, did I get banged up. I do have some awesome scars from multiple surgeries, great conversation pieces. Lots of iron holding me together, flying is a royal pain. Can’t pass the detectors so they wand me down. Hell, one liver spotted horse put my ass in the hospital three weeks in a row. Fractured wrist, compression fracture (back), then he pulled me out the dashboard and kicked me in the head because I sat up (BIG no-no) too quick and caught a hoof behind my left ear.

First concussion.

When I got up, I saw my friend Jay (all five of him) headed my way to pitch a hand, saw these weird little explosions going off everywhere in my sight. Being the good pal that he is, he kindly told me I suck at this, should consider the building trade, and could he have my gear?

F you. No.

They hauled me home, and I spent the night freezing cold but dumping sweat. Girlfriend woke me up every two hours to make sure I wasn’t lying next to her stone dead. Can’t blame her. Creepy.

Had at least 7+ more concussions since, all rodeo related.

Point is, I’m 54 years old now. I drink too much (Dolphins guy since 1976, so comes with the territory. Oh, how I long for the days of Strock to Duriel and Nat).

But I’m slipping. Just a bit. I can tell. And so can my wife.

Not enough to cause serious issues. But my memory isn’t what it was, mind not quite as sharp. Takes a bit longer.

But I know that 54 isn’t truly old although it may seem ancient to some of you pups. But it isn’t. Not for this.

Considering what I put myself through, all those concussions, I’m mighty lucky. A fine wife, two great sons. And I know everybody’s names. Can even still do my job.

For now.

Tua: retire. Don’t be this guy. It’s just not worth it.

Thanks for your story, very good read.

The thing these "self proclaimed geniuses, constantly ascending in life, concussion experts" on here never mention is the reaction Tua's body has had to the concussions.

Do normal players enter the fencing position when they take minor football collisions? Doing that **** with their hands....

No they don't and I agree he should retire.

But it's not up to the fans. So whatever he wants to do with his life, is what it is.

Either way, its very hard to see a world where Tua is on this team in 2025. I would argue, if we do let him stay on the roster, post June 1, 2025, we've made a huge mistake.

Tua is now on the Sam Bradford level of injury prone. If we keep Tua on the roster next year we're staring down the barrel of huge cap hits for 2025-2028, if we get rid of him before June 1, 2025, we're only taking dead cap hits for 25 & 26.

Even if Tua gets cleared to play again this year, we should not play him, he's done taking snaps for the Dolphins. Try to trade him in the offseason to midigate the cap hits or we cut him if we can't find a trade partner.

 

[Good_Dylan]

Ill just say well written and Amen

I am of the camp each concussion just makes the next one come easier. There is no fixing that or repairing it...

 

[canman1971]

Quite the story. All I kept picturing while reading is the character Jimmy in the series "Yellowstone". You are the real life Jimmy.

 

[zucca]

In convinced that if this was Tua's first known concussion, he will be playing this week. I'm basing this on what appear to be mild symptoms. He attended a show this week, been in meetings, flying to Seattle. From my first hand knowledge of concussions dealing with my son's hockey career, they told us parents, if he gets a concussion, no contact for a week. A second concussion, no contact for a month. I'm sure things have changed in the last 10 years, but I'm sure doctors give a prognosis based on if and when you had a previous concussion(s). Do the NFL protocols change depending on 1st, 2nd, 3rd concussion? I don't think they do. We know Tua visited "outside" doctors. It's quite possible that the outside doctof told him " since you had 2,3 previous concussions, take a month off". Just my read on the whole situation for what it's worth.