He is now in the category of Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Damien Harris, in terms of being the greatest representative of Alabama football.
As much as people will forever appreciate Jalen Hurts for what he did and how he handled everything the right way, Tua Tagovailoa is rare playmaker at quarterback and a high-quality human being. When he emerged from the ground with a bloody nose and a dislocated right hip inside Davis Wade Stadium at Starkville, Miss., he could’ve thought of the worst-case scenario.
In this situation, anger would have hit a lot of athletes.
RELATED: Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian is proud of the team’s commitment to play in Citrus Bowl
Thoughts of quickly pursuing the NFL Draft and not giving college football another look travel through the minds of many that suffer gruesome injuries.
He had the right to be frustrated, but Tagovailoa’s faith allows him to see past the surface. Even as he rolled in pain and faced his parents, the junior thought only of those around him.
The ability to recognize life is deeper than one’s self is a difficult characteristic to master; however, the native Hawaiian has mastered it.
He lifted the spirits of Nick Saban and Steve Sarkisian, in a time where both head coach and offensive coordinator wanted to encourage him. Tagovailoa has empowered teammates to believe in Mac Jones and has told the sophomore to just be himself on the field.
Beneath the accolades and array of talents on a football field, Tagovailoa is someone that desires for people to leave his presence better than when they entered it. He was on the practice field at Alabama in bowl prep with the team and traveled with the program to Orlando, Fla.
He has had fun all week, and the lone thing he wants to see accomplished is the Tide confirming the establishment of the “Alabama factor” with a win over Michigan. On Sunday, Sarkisian spoke on what his quarterback means to this team – despite him not playing in the Citrus Bowl.
“I think I could speak probably for all of us. I mean, we’re all hurt for him. You know, Tua, for those of you who don’t know him and some of you in the room do know him, and he’s the guy, when he walks into the room, he lights it up,” Sarkisian said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the training room, the locker room, the practice field, the equipment room, the coach’s office, that guy is a true leader. Everybody knows the work ethic and the desire and the competitiveness he has. So, I think we’re all very hurt.”
The upbeat nature of Tagovailoa has followed him into his rehab, where he has been strong thus far.
He continues to carry a smile and be in positive spirits to help the team.
Sarkisian sees him being successful in whatever he decides to pursue in life, but he made one thing clear:
He still wants to coach Tagovailoa.
“I’d like to coach him forever, you know, but that’s the nature of our business,” Sarkisian said.
“You know, you recruit players. Players come in, you try to develop them as best you can, have a lot of team success and, ultimately, individual success so that then they can go on and move on in life and be successful humans, and then you bring in new people. So, you know, like I said, he’s a fantastic human. And forget just No. 13 on the field. It’s who he is off the field that I think is probably more impressive.”
He accounted for 2,840 passing yards with 33 touchdowns to three interceptions, prior to the injury versus Mississippi State. Tagovailoa has until Jan. 20, 2020 to decide on whether he’ll declare for the NFL Draft or return to Alabama for his senior year. The entire fan base for the Crimson Tide is waiting with anticipation on his move.
For now, he is doing everything possible that he can to assist the team in having the best mindset for the Wolverines on Wednesday.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
