Tua Tagovailoa responds to feedback that ESPN’s Ryan Clark made about his offseason work ethic

NFL

“It’s just a little bizarre when different persons are speaking about different folks after they’re not that particular person.”

Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa might have an enormous season, and doesn’t take kindly to folks assuming how he is been getting ready for it. Eric Christian Smith/AP Picture

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa responded pointedly to feedback made by ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark that questioned his offseason work ethic.

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Clark, a former NFL participant, mentioned earlier this week that Tagovailoa “wasn’t within the fitness center” in the course of the offseason.

Clark performed 13 seasons within the NFL as a defensive again with the New York Giants, Washington and Pittsburgh. He gained Tremendous Bowl 43 with the Steelers within the 2008 season, made the Professional Bowl in 2011 and completed with 16 interceptions in 177 video games.

“He would possibly spend loads of time within the tattoo parlor,” Clark mentioned. “He was not on the dinner desk consuming what the nutritionist had suggested. He appears to be like ‘glad.’ He’s thick.”

Clark additionally in contrast Tagovailoa’s present physique to a dancer at a strip membership.

After Dolphins observe on Wednesday, Tagovailoa defended his offseason preparation and requested Clark to maintain “my identify out your mouth.”

“He most likely is aware of extra about me than I find out about myself,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “Ryan’s been out of the league for a while. I don’t know. It’s just a little bizarre when different persons are speaking about different folks after they’re not that particular person. It was just a bit bizarre.

“I come from a Samoan household. Respect is the whole lot. But when it does get to some extent the place — hey, just a little simple on that buddy as a result of I believe we’re fairly tough-minded folks and if we have to scrappy, we are able to get scrappy too. Simply saying.”

Tagovailoa bulked up his body in the course of the offseason to higher face up to the hits he takes on the sector after two identified concussions trigger him to overlook a number of video games final season. The fourth-year quarterback additionally has but to play a full NFL season with out damage. He added about 15 kilos in the course of the offseason along with taking jiu-jitsu coaching to study higher methods to fall on the sector.

“I’m not somebody to speak about myself your entire time, but it surely takes so much,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “Do you suppose I wished to construct all this muscle? To some extent, I wished to be just a little lighter. There’s a mix of issues that individuals don’t perceive, that individuals don’t find out about, which are talked about that go behind the scenes. So, I’d recognize in the event you stored my identify out your mouth. That’s what I’d say.”

After Tagovailoa’s feedback, Clark responded.

“I 100% take accountability for it!! I mentioned it!! I meant it!! It was a joke!!” Clark wrote on X. “If requested why I mentioned it by Tua I might inform him. I’ve 0 points wanting a person within the eye and telling my fact. I settle for any consequence.”

Tagovailoa has been a nationwide speaking level for the reason that Dolphins drafted him fifth general in 2020. He confronted criticism throughout his first two seasons when he hadn’t taken the leap many thought he ought to, and there have been questions on whether or not the Dolphins ought to transfer on from him.

Tagovailoa had a breakout 2022 season below coach Mike McDaniel, setting profession highs in passing touchdowns, passing yards and passer score. The Dolphins picked up the fifth-year choice on his rookie contract in March.

“In relation to the criticism and stuff, it’s loopy as a result of once I first bought right here, I used to be like, ‘Bro, why is all people all the time speaking about you?’” mentioned Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb. “He simply laughed it off, ‘Uce, man, I don’t know.’”

Tagovailoa mentioned he tries to disregard exterior feedback as a lot as he can when requested if he thinks folks use his identify to spice up their engagement.

“I attempt to dwell my life as non-public as I can so in the event that they suppose it’s chasing clout, buddy, I’m the improper particular person,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “There’s nothing about me that tells you that I’m chasing clout, so I imply, go discover Jake Paul or go discover Logan. Go discover these guys if you wish to chase clout. Like these are the fellows you wish to chase.”