Ex-Chiefs Lineman Mitchell Schwartz Calls Out NFLPA Over Tua Tagovailoa’s Concussion
The Miami Dolphins and the National Football League’s handling of Tua Tagovailoa’s medical issues this past week sparked outrage and heavy criticism from sports media. This time, it’s the NFL Players Association that’s come under scrutiny from former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz. Schwartz took to Twitter to criticize the NFLPA’s statement regarding its ongoing investigation into the Dolphins, comparing how it’s handling Tagovailoa’s situation to how it handled the case of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Schwartz seemed unsatisfied with the lack of urgency and passion coming from the NFLPA, hinting that he felt the response paled in comparison to how vigorously the NFLPA backed Deshaun Watson.
Schwartz continued on in the thread, “And look, miss me with the “but the doctors said it was his back!” “Doctors OK’d him!” He banged his head on the ground, got up, grabbed his head and shook it side to side, then stumbled around and couldn’t walk. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, put him in concussion protocol for the week?!?”
The Dolphins quarterback suffered a head and neck injury during Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The quarterback’s head bounced off the grass as he was being taken down for a sack by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou. As a result, Tagovailoa was taken by stretcher to a local medical facility at the University of Cincinnati. The NFLPA’s investigation into the organization was launched after the Dolphins’ week three home game against the Buffalo Bills.
“Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing,” the NFLPA said on Thursday. It was also reported that NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith announced that they will “pursue every legal option, including making referrals against the doctors to licensing agencies and the team that is obligated to keep our players safe.”
Sports Illustrated has more HERE.
Concussion Legacy Foundation CEO Chris Nowinski also took to social media to criticize the league for its alleged mishandling of the Dolphins starting quarterback’s situation. Nowinski believes Tagovailoa suffered a concussion against the Bills on Sunday after Bills linebacker Matt Milano pushed him to the ground. Tagovailoa began to stumble over himself after standing to his feet and attempting to return to the huddle with his teammates.
Read more about Nowinski’s jaw-dropping twitter reactions to Tua returning to play on Thursday HERE.
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