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Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may be affectionately known as “Tua” by many fans, but that’s not his full first name.
Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference in Frankfurt, Tagovailoa was asked by a German reporter how to pronounce his full first name. To which the Hawaiian-born signal-caller smirked and asked “Does anybody know how to say it?”
“Mike White knows how to say it … Tuanigamanuolepola,” Tua revealed. “And then Tagovailoa.”
Tua, how do you say your whole name? pic.twitter.com/i35HiNcMCv
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 1, 2023
Fans reacted to Tua’s pronunciation on Twitter.
“I hope they inscribe his entire legal name on his MVP trophy,” a user said.
I hope they inscribe his entire legal name on his MVP trophy
— Jon (@Jon1222) November 1, 2023
“I still cant [say] it even after hearing him say it,” another replied.
I still cant day it even after hearing him say it
— CaPtAiNcHaOs8613 (@CaPtAnChAoS8613) November 1, 2023
“Great to see him so happy & healthy,” a fan commented. “#thatsmyqb.”
Great to see him so happy & healthy. #thatsmyqb
— B Lev (@DontStopBLevine) November 1, 2023
“The kind of name I’ll say confidently in private, but claim I can’t say it in front of people,” another Fins fan admitted.
The kind of name I’ll say confidently in private, but claim I can’t say it in front of people.
— WhatTheHunt (6-2)🐬 (@WhatTheHunt) November 1, 2023
— Jabari Morris (@jabmorris) November 1, 2023
Regardless of if you can say it or not, Tuanigamanuolepola Donny Tagovailoa is putting together a heck of a 2023 campaign as his Dolphins sit at 6-2 with the chance to sit atop the AFC with a win over Kansas City on Sunday.