50 Facts About Tua Tagovailoa

Early Life and Family Background

Tua Tagovailoa's journey to NFL stardom began in a small town in Hawaii, where his family and cultural heritage played a significant role in shaping his future.

1. Birthplace and Family: Born in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii, Tua is the oldest of four children in a Samoan family.
2. Early Interest in Football: From a young age, Tua showed an intense interest in football, even sleeping with a football under his arm every night.
3. Grandfather's Influence: His grandfather, Seu Tagovailoa, was a major inspiration and was known as "Chief Tagovailoa" in their community.
4. Pop Warner Games: At eight years old, Tua was already throwing passes over 30 yards in Pop Warner games, showcasing his early talent.

High School and College Career

Tua's high school and college years were marked by impressive performances and accolades, setting the stage for his professional career.

5. High School Career: At Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Tua threw for 33 touchdowns and 2,583 passing yards in his first varsity season.
6. All-American Bowl: In 2016, he played in the All-American Bowl, throwing for 2,669 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season.
7. Elite 11 Roster: Tua was named MVP of the Elite 11 roster, recognizing him as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation.
8. College Recruitment: As a four-star recruit, Tua received 17 scholarship offers before choosing the University of Alabama.
9. College Career: He graduated early from high school and moved to Alabama, where he played under coach Nick Saban.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide: Tua was part of the team that won the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Professional Career and Achievements

Tua's transition to the NFL was marked by both challenges and triumphs, solidifying his reputation as a top quarterback.

11. NFL Draft: Tua was the fifth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL draft.
12. Professional Career: By the 2023 season, he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, playing every game.
13. Injury History: Despite his success, Tua has faced multiple injuries, including concussions in 2022.
14. Concussions in 2022: His first registered concussion occurred during a game against the Buffalo Bills, leading to criticism of the team's handling of the injury.
15. Fencing Response: Four days later, Tua exhibited a fencing response during a game against the Bengals, causing him to miss two weeks.
16. Second Concussion in 2022: Another head injury against the Packers on Christmas Day led to further concerns.
17. Contract Extension: Before the 2023 season, Tua received a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid quarterback in Dolphins history.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Beyond football, Tua is dedicated to giving back to his community and maintaining a strong family connection.

18. Philanthropy: Tua established the Tua Foundation in February 2021 to support youth initiatives and health and wellness.
19. Tua Foundation Grants: The foundation awarded three grants totaling $50,000 to various organizations.
20. Scholarship Endowment: In June 2020, Tua announced a $300,000 scholarship endowment for his high school.
21. Inaugural Fundraising Event: The Tua Foundation's first event raised $93,000 for the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch.
22. Support for Samoa National Rugby League Team: Tua publicly supported the Samoa national rugby league team during the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
23. Personal Life: Tua is an evangelical Christian, married to Annah since 2022, and they have a son named Ace.
24. Unique Position: He is the only starting left-handed quarterback in the NFL.
25. Brother in Football: His younger brother, Taulia, is a quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins.
26. Cousins in Football: His cousins Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Adam Amosa-Tagovailoa also play football.
27. Jiu-Jitsu Practice: In 2023, Tua began practicing jiu-jitsu to address his concussion issues.

Career Highlights and Notable Plays

Tua's career has been filled with memorable moments and impressive statistics that highlight his skills and leadership.

28. Career Statistics: By the end of the 2023 season, Tua led the NFL in passing yards and set a career-high in touchdowns.
29. Notable Plays: His 60-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle and a 78-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill are standout moments.
30. Media Appearances: Tua frequently discusses his preparation, injuries, and team performance with the media.
31. Cedrick Wilson Jr.'s 24-Yard Catch: A loft pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. set up the Dolphins in the red zone against the Bills.
32. Tyreek Hill's Vertical Leap: A seam throw to Tyreek Hill showcased Hill's vertical leap with a 23-yard catch and run.
33. De'Von Achane's Touchdown Catch: Tua located running back De'Von Achane for his third touchdown catch of the 2023 season.
34. Tyreek Hill's Fourth-Down Catch: A 25-yard rainbow pass to Tyreek Hill converted on fourth down.
35. Cedrick Wilson Jr.'s Touchdown Catch: An 8-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. opened the scoring against the Ravens.
36. Jaylen Waddle's Deep Strike: A 50-yard deep strike to Jaylen Waddle demonstrated Tua's ability to make long throws.
37. Week 15 Win vs Jets: After a win against the Jets, Tua discussed his team's performance and preparation.
38. 60-Yard Touchdown Pass: A 60-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle showcased Tua's deep throw capability.
39. Pass Rush Pressure: Tua spoke about handling pass rush pressure, highlighting his resilience.
40. Week 14 Matchup vs Titans: Tua led the Dolphins to victory against the Titans, showcasing his leadership.
41. Week 13 Performance vs Commanders: After a win against the Commanders, Tua discussed his performance and strategy.
42. Tyreek Hill's 78-Yard Touchdown Catch: A 78-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill demonstrated Tua's long throw ability.
43. Black Friday Rivalry Showdown: Tua led the Dolphins in a rivalry game against the Jets, showcasing his competitive spirit.
44. Tua Tagovailoa's Left-Handed Throwing Ability: Although right-handed, Tua was trained by his father to throw with his left hand.
45. Family Influence on Football Career: His father disciplined him with a belt whenever he threw an interception, motivating him to improve.
46. High School Inspirations: At Saint Louis School, Tua was inspired by peers and mentors like Marcus Mariota.
47. College Football Legacy: At Alabama, Tua was part of a legacy that included winning the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.
48. Professional Football Legacy: By the end of the 2023 season, Tua established himself as a top NFL quarterback.
49. Philanthropic Efforts: Through the Tua Foundation, he has made significant contributions to various charitable causes.
50. Future Prospects: With his impressive 2023 season and commitment to philanthropy, Tua is poised to continue making a significant impact.

Tua Tagovailoa: A Remarkable Journey

Tua Tagovailoa's journey from a football-loving kid in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii, to a standout quarterback for the Miami Dolphins is nothing short of inspiring. His dedication to the sport, influenced by his family and especially his grandfather, has shaped his career. Despite facing numerous injuries, including multiple concussions, Tua has shown resilience and determination. His impressive stats, including leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023, highlight his talent. Beyond football, Tua's philanthropic efforts through the Tua Foundation demonstrate his commitment to giving back. Supporting youth initiatives and health programs, he’s making a difference off the field too. With a bright future ahead, Tua Tagovailoa continues to be a role model, not just for aspiring athletes but for anyone striving to overcome challenges and make a positive impact.