NFL player told to retire after suffering 'most extreme' concussion in Miami Dolphins' defeat to Buffalo Bills

An NFL player has been told to retire from the sport after suffering a severe concussion during a match.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a head-on impact with Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin during the third quarter of the match between the two sides.

He received treatment and walked off the field of play on his own, with his wife and two children later visiting him in the locker room.

NFL presenter Kaylee Hartung reported that Tagovailoa was 'conscious, awake and alert' and had 'full movement in his extremities'.

You can see the incident below - which some viewers may find distressing:

Prayers for Tua Tagovailoa. Note his right hand balling into a fist and his arm going straight in the air. That's posturing and a sign of loss of consciousness and a #concussion. Certainly out for the game. So sad. pic.twitter.com/e6wYIDVaZa

— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 13, 2024

Fans and concussion specialists have called on the quarterback to consider retirement, given his previous history with concussions.

He suffered two concussions during the 2022 season, with a third having been suspected by the NFL Players' Association but not diagnosed. That controversy led to the NFL adopting new concussion protocols.

The 26-year-old said he consulted doctors about his future in the NFL but decided to carry on playing, with his parents having advised him to consider quitting the sport.

Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen said after Tagovailoa's latest incident: "I just want to say, I hope Tua's doing okay. I'm praying for him and his family.

"Understanding what's happened in the past, I'm just praying for him and his family. He's a great football player, but he's an amazing human, an even more amazing human.

Josh Allen on Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion: “Understanding what’s happened in the past, just know I’m praying for him and his family. He’s a great football player but I’ve been around him outside the football field & he’s an even more amazing human... Hope everything is alright.” pic.twitter.com/qWz0FVFY93

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 13, 2024

"I hope he just receives all the love he can. This is obviously a tough situation, and it sucks."

The issue of repeated concussions in sport has come under the microscope in recent weeks, with an Australian cricket star advised by doctors to call time on his career after suffering 13 known concussions.

Will Pucovski, who played one Test for Australia, was one of the country's brightest batting talents but, now 26, has seen his career wrecked by concussions. He is now believed to be taking legal advice during negotiations with Cricket Australia over his future, according to local reports.