Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has taken the internet by storm with his new look.
Tua’s transformation has left many fans doing a double-take.
During a recent team photo session, he debuted a completely different hairstyle and a clean-shaven face, making him nearly unrecognizable to some. The pictures revealed Tua with grown-out curls, a stark contrast to his previous appearances with the Dolphins and even during his college days at Alabama.
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Tagovailoa is entering his fifth season in the NFL, having been drafted by Miami in 2020. Last season, he completed 388 of his 560 passes for 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the Dolphins to an impressive 11-6 record. Their season ended in the wild-card round with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Notably, Tua managed to stay virtually injury-free throughout the season, thanks in part to the extensive work he put in during the previous offseason.
Miami is set to open its season on September 8, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A significant part of Tua’s offseason regimen last year included combat training. He spent time learning jiu-jitsu to improve how he falls on the football field, a precautionary measure to avoid the head injuries that prematurely ended his 2022 season and led him to consider retirement. The training paid off, as Tua managed to steer clear of serious injuries.
In December, Tagovailoa discussed his offseason plans and indicated that he would not be continuing his jiu-jitsu training. “If I want to become dangerous, then sure,” he said humorously when asked if he would resume the training. “But no, I’m just learning how to fall,” he explained, according to MiamiDolphins.com.
He further elaborated, “I [currently] don’t take any jiu-jitsu classes. From what I’ve learned, I’ve just been practicing what has been given throughout the process where I’ve been learning to fall, and really just going over that on Thursdays.”
As Tua prepares for the upcoming season with his new look and renewed health, fans are eagerly anticipating his performance on the field. His dedication to improving his game and avoiding injuries reflects his commitment to leading the Dolphins to even greater success.
