Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. JIM RASSOL/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

'Concussion' doctor urges Tua Tagovailoa to quit playing football

Bennet Omalu, the neurologist whose work inspired the Will Smith movie Concussion, is back with another message for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

That message: Stop playing football and walk away from the game.

"If you love your life, if you love your family, you love your kids — if you have kids — it's time to gallantly walk away," said Omalu in a message to Tagovailoa on TMZ. "Go find something else to do."

"Tua, my brother. I love you," Omalu added. "I love you as much as I love my son. Stop playing. Stop. Hang your helmet and gallantly walk away."

Tagovailoa has been the story in the NFL over the past two weeks given his and the Dolphins' handling of his recent injuries. The Dolphins fell under heavy scrutiny when he was allowed to return to their game against the Buffalo Bills after he took a big hit and then stumbled to the ground after getting himself up. The Dolphins insisted it was a back injury, but the NFLPA has been investigating the Dolphins' handling of the league's concussion protocols and even removed the independent neurologist who was working that game. 

Just four days later, Tagovailoa had to leave the Dolphins' game against Cincinnati on a stretcher. He was taken to a local hospital and later discharged. 

He has already been ruled out for the Dolphins' Week 5 game against the New York Jets.

Teddy Bridgewater is expected to start in his place. 

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