Tua Blew a Hip Out

First of all, let's state the obvious.

Tua Tagovailoa busted his butt throughout winter workouts, spring practice, summer 7-on-7s, pre-season sessions, and the weekly in-season grind to earn a starter's role.

Dude has every right to expect playing at least half of a game's snaps, whether they're in ...

• Alabama's two-game regular season or
• Their ten-game exhibition season.

 

Secondly, Tua had been medically cleared to participate against Mississippi State, and do know that Alabama's training staff is one of the strongest points in its recruiting pitch.

Still, Nick Saban remained cautious and said playing him against the Bulldogs was a game-time decision.

Tua had looked good in practice, looked great in the game's first half, and when he asked for one more series in Saban's planned two-minute drill before intermission, refer to the fact that Tua earned his playing time.

 

If the Tide were gonna play Tua only when they needed him, his patootie'd be parked on the bench during their 10-game exhibition season.

If Tua had earned the right to start and was responsibly determined that there was no medical reason for holding him outta the action, his request should have been and was granted.

 

So, with Alabama cruising, 35-7, Tua got his extra series.

Bummer how it ended up.

 

 

 

You know Tua's gonna try a comeback. The question is where?

• Alabama's gonna move on to the next phenom, so would his possible return affect recruiting?
• Does he have anything to prove in the college ranks anymore?
• Then again, he's gonna have to prove he's healthy.

Then, assuming he can rehab to secure a normal life and go the extra mile, there's the implications on future earnings. Dude could become the latest case study for paying college athletes.

 

Well, he'd rather be earning a pro salary the conventional way. Maybe he still will.

Next up, though, is going back to busting his butt on what's surely gonna be a year-round basis. Hopefully, Tua will be able to have more of his kinda fun afterwards.