Tua Tagovailoa is turning to martial arts to protect his brain.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback told “Up & Adams” on his Super Bowl radio show Friday that his offseason regimen includes weekly judo training to learn how to fall better. rice field.
“We made a plan,” said Tagovailoa. “I do judo on Fridays to understand my body and how I fall…just trying to help myself.”
hang on. Can Judo Help Quarterbacks Protect Against Injuries?
Conor McGregor believes judo training saved his life
The main objective of judo is to slam or throw the opponent onto the mat. As a judoka, it is inevitable to repeatedly hit the ground violently. Therefore, it is imperative that judokas learn how to minimize the risk of injury when falling. Falling technique An essential part of judo training.
In fact, UFC star Conor McGregor credits his judo training with saving his life in a recent bike crash.
McGregor wrote on Instagram in January, “I just got hit from behind by a car… Thank God it wasn’t my time. Thank you also for wrestling and judo. Focus on landing.” It saved my life.”
These falling techniques are likely to be the focus of Tagovailoa’s off-season training to protect his health going forward. Tagovailoa was forced to miss time due to his three recorded head injuries during his 2022 season, putting his career and brain health in jeopardy. One of them landed him in the hospital.
all injuries involved Back of Tagovailoa jump off the grass — Something like this in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills:
If so, could Judo training teach Tagovailoa not to hit the ground with its head?
Tagovailoa had people worried last season that an upcoming head crash could be his last in the NFL. For the 19-year-old quarterback, it will continue.
Tagovailoa told Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon on Friday that he is comfortable with the risks of playing in the NFL.
“I now have all the information I need to move forward with the decisions I have made with my wife and family,” said Tagovailoa. These things can happen, it’s football, it’s a physical sport.”
