NFL fans have heaped praise on Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel after he kissed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the head as he left the field on Thursday night.
Tagovailoa was the subject of a brutal hit from the Buffalo Bills‘ Damar Hamlin in the third quarter, and he walked off with the third known concussion of his NFL career.
McDaniel is well-known to be very close to his players, and that was on full display at Hard Rock Stadium as he made a beeline for Tagovailoa.
While many expected him to shake the QB’s hand or hug him, McDaniel instead went straight in for the kiss, planting his lips on Tagovailoa’s head.
Taking to social media, fans praised the head coach’s heartwarming reaction.
Mike McDaniel (left) walked up to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and kissed him on the head
McDaniel received praise on social media for his heartwarming act during the game
One wrote: ‘That is what TRUE masculinity looks like. Mike McDaniel kissing Tua’s head after that hit. Prayers for Tua.’
Another added: ‘This was such a touching moment. Mike McDaniel loves his players. You could see him fighting back tears once Tua was in the locker room and play resumed.’
Speaking after the game, McDaniel shared his thoughts after being asked for his initial response when the hit occurred.
‘My thought was concern… I was just worried about my guy,’ he told reporters in Miami, adding: ‘It’s not something you ever want to be a part of.’
He then continued by saying: ‘I’m just worried about the human being. From a medical standpoint, I don’t approach things I’m far inferior in expertise. For me to forecast things that I don’t know, I don’t think that’s appropriate.
Tagovailoa has suffered three known concussions during his fledgling NFL career
Tagovailoa has faced calls to retire from analysts, former players and fans
‘He was in good spirits. It’s more about getting a proper procedural evaluation tomorrow. Taking it one day at a time. The furthest thing from my mind is a timeline (to return).’
Fans, ex-players and analysts alike urged Tagovailoa to retire from the NFL after his most recent concussion, with Dez Bryant leading the charge on X.
He wrote: ‘That’s it. NFL go ahead and do the right thing. Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He need to retire for his longevity health concerns.’
NFL legend Shannon Sharpe echoed Bryant’s sentiments, saying: ‘Really hope Tua is ok, but he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it dwn. I H8 saying this. His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him.’
FS1 analyst Nick Wright chimed in, writing: ‘Tua gets 93M no questions asked and probably 167M if he has to retire due to injury.’
Damar Hamlin tackled Tagovailoa, with both players traveling at considerable speed
Players on the field took a knee as medics rushed to help Tagovailoa after the hit
‘He fought back from absolutely horrifying concussions to lead the league in passing and earn that contract from the Dolphins,’ Wright continued. ‘He has to really consider hanging it up after tonight.’
‘Watching Tua Tagovailoa bury his helmet into Damar Hamlin’s chest was some of the scariest stuff I’ve seen in a long time, and it wasn’t even that big a collision,’ said analyst Ryan Clark. ‘I’m getting old man. Soft as heck.’
Patrick Mahomes tweeted three praying emojis after Tagovailoa was removed from the contest.
Tagovailoa has now suffered three known concussions in the NFL, after his 2022 season was cut short by head injuries.
