MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa felt pressure in the pocket, galloped diagonally toward his left side, and likely felt the collective angst building in the stadium with every step he took.
Tagovailoa tucked the football into his right hand and got his rear on the ground to slide. He rose to his feet and pointed toward the end zone to celebrate the first down. The crowd inside Hard Rock Stadium, already on their feet as Tagovailoa hit his stride, serenaded him by chanting his name.
“Tua! Tua! Tua!”
There hasn’t been a lot to celebrate this Dolphins season, especially when something as simple as Tagovailoa sliding gets the loudest ovation of the day. It was a moment to reaffirm the young quarterback’s decision to continue his playing career despite being the NFL’s face for concussions.
Now, back to disappointment.
Tagovailoa’s return from his Sept. 12 concussion was spoiled as Kyler Murray rallied the Arizona Cardinals to a 28-27 win over Miami on Sunday.
Murray threw two touchdowns in the game, led two touchdown drives in the second half and set up kicker Chad Ryland’s 34-yard, game-winning field goal in the victory.
Tagovailoa was able to complete a touchdown pass to running back De’Von Achane two plays after his run. The Dolphins went ahead 27-18 after running back Raheem Mostert’s second touchdown run in the game…
