Tua Tagovailoa is growing into a vocal leader for the Miami Dolphins.
He has never been much of a talker in his football career, but he feels more comfortable as Mike McDaniel allows the Hawaiian to let his personality out. Tagovailoa has been a five-star recruit, a conference champion, a national champion, a Heisman Trophy finalist, and a first-round draft pick. He now wants to silence all doubters who criticize his arm talent and athletic capabilities.
RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa considered transferring from Alabama after ‘Fourth Quarter Program’
The episode with Tagovailoa on Tyreek Hill’s podcast “It Needed To Be Said” aired on Thursday.
Tagovailoa explained how football at the University of Alabama prepared his confidence for the National Football League.
🚨New episode is available NOW 🚨@Tua shared his journey from Hawaii all the way to the 305 🏝 – Family, football, culture and much more! Make you sure you tune in and subscribe to the hottest show in the game 🚀🔥
🎙 @cheetah X @AttyJu #ItNeededToBeSaid #TuaT #Podcast pic.twitter.com/8l4RB4k0Kg
— It Needed To Be Said (@cheetah_podcast) July 1, 2022
“I would say Alabama has had a lot to do with my poise and confidence,” Tagovailoa said. “First-round draft picks surround you. You have guys that talk their talk at practice. If you can’t back it up, then don’t talk. That was the thing. I was not much of a talker when I was at Alabama. When I heard guys talking, the notion was ‘okay, I am a silent assassin.’ I am going to go for this guy now. You go for him in practice, and then they start arguing with other guys, but for your clarity, you know that you started it.”
Hill said “expect a Dennis Rodman and a Carmen Electra connection” with him and Tagovailoa.
Match made in Heaven 😂 pic.twitter.com/FIS41CSz90
— PFF (@PFF) July 1, 2022
He is one for humility, but Tagovailoa reminded people to not get it twisted.
“I am very humble but don’t let that get in the way of me not being confident in myself, cause I am very confident in myself…” -Tua @tua @cheetah @cheetah_podcast #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/NMJUgxMQg3
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) July 1, 2022
“I am humble, but don’t let that get in the way of me not being confident in myself,” he said. “I am very confident in myself.”
Tagovailoa grabbed attention as a freshman at Alabama. Nobody had seen the ball come out of a quarterback’s hand for the Crimson Tide like him. Fans wanted him to play in the 2017 Iron Bowl and College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup against Clemson. Tagovailoa got his chance in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game versus Georgia and tossed three touchdowns.
He pushed the Tide to a 26-23 comeback victory in overtime. Despite injuries, Tagovailoa became one of the most beloved quarterbacks in Alabama history. He was also one of the most decorative signal-callers in college football history.
Tagovailoa is excited about taking his confidence and dominating his third season in the pros.
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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.
