Just weeks into the 2023 NFL season, there were already numerous surprises in the league. There have been stunning injuries like the season-ender to Aaron Rodgers on his third play as a New York Jet, and star players not on the field due to contract issues, like the Indianapolis Colts Johnathon Taylor. There are underdog stories like the Rams’ Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua and crushing disappointments like Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. There has even been a sprinkle of pop superstar Taylor Swift and her new boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
One of the more compelling feel-good stories of the season has been the play of Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. The young quarterback from Alabama was a huge question mark coming into the season. He suffered some scary head injuries last season, and there was speculation that he could retire rather than risk further injury.
However, Tua decided to come back, and the Dolphins have arguably been the best team in the NFL thus far. That doesn’t mean that Miami hasn’t struggled some. One week after piling up a historic 70-point game versus the hapless Denver Broncos, Miami laid an egg against division rival Buffalo and lost 48-20.
The franchise quarterback, however, hasn’t been phased through any of the ups and downs of his young career. That’s because Tua Tagovailoa is a man of faith and openly leans into God, both during good times and bad.
After the loss to the rival Bills, the Dolphins signal caller shared how his Christian faith helps guide him through life. “I think the best thing about being a believer of Jesus Christ, to me, is that the Good Lord up above doesn’t care whether you win a game, whether you lose a game. For me, it’s been a little tough having to play on Sundays, having to understand that I’m not able to go to church. Really, a lot of it is having to watch church online after games and things like that. But allowing me this platform, to me, is the best thing in the world to be able to profess my faith on something that I firmly believe in, something that’s been foundationally instilled in me at a young age.”
Tua grew up in a nondenominational church, and at a very young age, the importance of prayer and church was instilled in him. He takes prayer with him everywhere, including the sideline. He continued: “When I’m out there, like, I even pray before I go out to an offensive series and whatnot; I’m always praying, like, I’m on the sideline, it looks like I’m talking to myself, speaking in tongues. Some people think, ‘What? This guy knows how to speak in tongues.’”
What may seem like odd sideline behavior to some is simply how Tua faces the challenges in life and in football; he asks for the Lord’s guidance. He concluded: “I grew up in a nondenominational Christian church my entire life. So, yeah, like that. I mean, it does a lot. And so having to remember Scripture always keeps me encouraged in continuing to press forward, especially in times like this.”
There will be plenty of good times ahead for Tua and the Dolphins. The young quarterback is surrounded by high-level talent, and he is beginning to become the player the franchise expected when they drafted him out of Alabama. However, as long as he has his faith, Tua Tagovailoa will always have a rock to fall back on when times get tough.
Featured image screen grab from embedded video
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