Why Emmitt Smith is worried about himself, Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa

Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith has explained why he's worried about his health and about Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

"When you see all the CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) stuff that’s come out, I‘d be naïve to think if I keep living, I’ll have a normal life going forward," Smith told Marc Berman of The Palm Beach Post. "That’s why I respect the Jim Browns of the world, Tony Dorsetts and the guys that came before me. They’re a good reflection where I’m headed as I age. To escape the game completely free, I’d be a little naïve. So far, I’m good." 

Smith was asked about Tagovailoa suffering a minimum of two reported concussions during the 2022 season. The 24-year-old last entered the concussion protocol after a game on Christmas Day and then missed Miami's final three contests of the campaign including the playoffs. Tagovailoa ultimately remained in the protocol through January. 

Smith said he was diagnosed with two concussions across his entire career but suggested that number is likely low. 

"I also can tell you there’s a number of times I got hit and had to shake my head a couple of times to get the cobwebs out and get back focused. It’s part of the game," the Dallas Cowboys legend said. "But comparing to Tua’s situation, I never had multiple concussions in one year like that. Never had a situation occur where I staggered off the field like that."