Everyone that covers the NFL has spent the better part of a week talking about Tua Tagovailoa. The Miami Dolphins quarterback’s health has been the subject of speculation after suffering two traumatic hits in the span of five days leading many to wonder if he was sent back onto the field after suffering a concussion.
Questions about the way the Dolphins and the NFL treated the quarterback are being asked all over TV and radio. There have already been consequences on the field too as the independent doctor that examined Tagovailoa has been fired for making “several mistakes” in his evaluation.
Sunday night, Rodney Harrison sounded off about what he saw and his own experience with head injuries. The former Patriots defensive back explained the lingering effects he has dealt with.
“I would implore these young men, don’t go back on the field if you get hurt,” he told Maria Taylor and Tony Dungy on Football Night in America. “Because I don’t want them to have to feel like me and so many other players that had to deal with concussions, whether it’s depression, anxiety, paranoia, broken relationships, not being able to communicate with your spouse. It’s a lot. CTE takes you to a dark place and I want these players to know it’s not worth it. Please take care of yourself.”
One of the most eyebrow raising moments of Harrison’s statement came from his blunt advice to players about the people evaluating them after big hits.
“Don’t depend on the NFL. Don’t depend on anybody. If something’s wrong with your head, report it!”
The clip was shared all over social media and drew praise and commentary from Rodney Harrison’s colleagues.
This isn’t the first time Harrison has spoken about his own experience with CTE. He was on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday to talk about the way Tagovailoa’s injury was handled. He said that he would regularly lie to doctors when he was being checked out after a big hit.
