Tua Tagovailoa had some strong words Wednesday for ESPN analyst Ryan Clark after his recent criticism of the quarterback’s work ethic and offseason habits.
Following the Miami Dolphins’ 28-3 preseason win over the Houston Texans last weekend, Clark said Tagovailoa “might have spent a lot of time in the tattoo parlor” this offseason but was “not at the dinner table eating with a nutritionist.”
“He looks heavy,” Clark said.
This level of hate from Ryan Clark is unbelievable…
Tua does nothing but keep his head down and work his tail off the ENTIRE off season to get his body right.
How dare @espn for the constant hate y’all don’t even hide it anymore pic.twitter.com/w5I6OwZJH4
— JoeRobbie (@JoeRobbie_) August 22, 2023
Following practice on Wednesday, Tagovailoa fired back.
“He probably knows more about me than I know about myself,” Tagovailoa joked. “I don’t know, it’s a little weird when other people are talking about other people when they’re not that person.
“I come from a Samoan family. Respect is everything, but it does get to a point where…little easy on that buddy. We’re a pretty tough-minded people. If we need to get scrappy, we can get scrappy too.”
The fourth-year QB then went on to say he’d “appreciate it” if Clark could “keep my name out [his] mouth.”
The initial video cuts up a little early, here’s the extended video – which includes: “I would appreciate it if you kept my name out your mouth that’s what I’ll say.”pic.twitter.com/leEXJEGzJy
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 23, 2023
Dolphins fans should be excited seeing this fire from Tua. This is an important year for him as he tries to help the team take the next step and prove he can stay healthy for a full season.
Wonder if Clark will address Tua’s rebuttal at all.