Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made it clear that he was not fond of Ryan Clark’s recent comments about his current physique heading into the 2023 NFL season.
During an episode of ESPN’s NFL Live on Tuesday, the NFL analyst and former player said the Dolphins signal caller “wasn’t in the gym” this offseason and that the 25-year-old was not “eating what the nutritionist” advised when “sitting at the dinner table."
On Wednesday, Tagovailoa addressed Clark’s criticism and didn’t hold back.
“It’s a little weird when other people are talking about other people and they’re not that person,” Tagovailoa said, per David Furones of Sun-Sentinel. “… I come from a Samoan family. Respect is everything… A little easy on that buddy… We are pretty tough-minded people and if we need to get scrappy we can. I’d appreciate it if you keep my name out your mouth. …Go find Jake Paul or Logan Paul if you want to clout chase.”
Tua Tagovailoa responds to Ryan Clark. Says he’d appreciate if he kept his name out his mouth if he’s not around to see him, and said they could get scrappy. Also started by asking “Who?” When Ryan Clark was first brought up. pic.twitter.com/TXjOg56Htq
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 23, 2023
Earlier this month, the former No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft told reporters that he added jiu-jitsu training and tackled “a lot more reps with heavier weights” to add muscle with the hope of being able to play every game this season. He also plans to wear a helmet with extra support for his head after he missed five games last year due to multiple concussions.
“Everything that I did this offseason entailed to what would keep me on the field for the entirety of the season,” Tagovailoa told reporters on Aug. 2.
Tagovailoa notched career-highs in yards (3,548), touchdowns (25) and registered his highest quarterback rating last season, while leading the Dolphins to an 8–5 mark in 13 games. He will begin his fourth season in the NFL on Sept. 10 when the Dolphins face the Chargers in their season opener.
