NFL QB Tua Tagovailoa is taking jiu-jitsu classes, learning how to fall

Tua Tagovailoa is using martial arts to help with concussions for season 2023.

The newest martial arts convert is NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

During Tagovailoa's press conference appearance on Wednesday, he told the media that he was training in Brazilian Jiu-JItsu and learning how to fall safely.

"We used crash pads to land on first, with trying to fall. ... Tucking your chin, that was one of the deals, but it went a lot more into the technique of how to disperse your energy when you fall," Tagovailoa said. "Kind of like the posture you want to be in, [and] if you're not presented that posture, what are other things that you can do to help you disperse the energy when you fall. So, it's a lot of those things. It's actually a lot cooler than you think when you hear of learning how to fall."

This new training, which is done early on in BJJ schools, will help to lessen the number of concussion risks Tagovailoa may have this upcoming season.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback has a history with concussions and was even out a portion of the 2022 season after several incidents where he exhibited signs of concussions. The NFL even cracked down on the concussion protocol after he was pulled from a game.

It will be interesting to see if this new-found sport could turn into something bigger once he's done playing football.

But for now, he's sticking with the NFL.

"Really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game. With how old I am, with my son; I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do. It's my health, it's my body, I feel like this is what's best for me and my family. I love the game of football and if I didn't I would have quit a long time ago," he said.