Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was evidently just as surprised as everyone else when President Trump announced who would be on his Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Last week, President Donald Trump announced that he would be bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test. Remember that as a kid? Having to run the mile, do pull ups, and laterally pick up bean bags as fast as you can? It was discontinued as a requirement back in 2012, but now it’s back. I’m personally happy that young kids now have to participate in an mini NFL Draft combine like the rest of us had to.
Trump also revived the Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, which helps foster “programs and initiatives that motivate people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to lead active, healthy lives.” Professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, retired LPGA star Annika Sorenstam, WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, former NFL players Tony Romo and Lawrence Taylor and current NFL players Nick Bosa and Tua Tagovailoa were all named as council members.
Saquon Barkley was asked to be on the council, but he declined.
One of the more interesting names on that list, at least to me, is Tua. The Dolphins QB has had plenty of trouble staying on the field in the past few years due to concussions, and one of the last times that Tagovailoa took a scary hit, questions and rumors about Tua’s future in the NFL swirled online.
Obviously, no one wants to see Tagovailoa give up the game. He’s one of the most prolific passers in the league, and he can throw the deep ball as good as anybody. Tua’s truly an exciting and excellent player. But from what everyone says, he’s an even more impressive human being off the football field. And now he’s on President Donald Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
The 27-year-old quarterback was asked about being named to the council recently, and here’s what he had to say:
“I think it’s pretty cool. It’s an honor. I would say I don’t know too much about it. But again, I think that’s an honor.”
Maybe there’s not much to know about it? Or it’s still the very early stages?
Tua was also asked about President Donald Trump butchering the pronunciation of his last name: Tagovailoa. The Dolphins star chuckled, smiled, and said it wasn’t all that bad… then also did his best Trump impersonation:
“I don’t think he’s had the worst. I’ve heard worse in Alabama. It is what it is. I don’t take that to heart. ‘He’s a great guy, phenomenal guy. Just gotta stay healthy.'”
Then came the big follow up question: How did Tua become a part of the council?
Though the Dolphins QB said just moments before that it was an honor to be named to President Donald Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, he’s still not sure how it came to be:
“I mean… I should ask you that question too bro. How did that all develop? I’m not too sure.”
Hey… sometimes it’s not about the journey (knowing about being appointed to the council). It’s about the destination (being on the council). Regardless, Tua seems very honored to be a part of the council, and that’s all that matters right?
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t point your attention to the video of Trump trying to say Tua’s last name. I went ahead and typed it out in the quote phonetically… only in the incorrect way that the POTUS said it:
“Tua Tag-o-volia, the quarterback who really has been fantastic. He’s been… when he’s not injured, he’s great. He’s got to stay healthy.”
In President Trump’s defense… I don’t know if anyone really knows how to say Tua’s full name, and it’s probably one of the more intimidating names to say out loud.
