Another day, another useless argument for fans to get into an uproar about. I wrote yesterday that Brian Flores will not be rolling out Tua to start in week 1 of who knows when football will be played 2020 season because it would be stupid to do for several reasons. Today, and honestly before he was drafted, it’s what number will Tua be wearing and that it better not be Dan Marino’s. All the usual suspects of Dolphin’s websites and writers are giving their POV on the subject. Well, this one isn’t hard to figure. Dan Marino will not unretire #13 and give it to Tua.
Tua Himself
Tua said after the Dolphin’s wisely drafted him with the 5th pick last week that he doesn’t care what number he wears. Here’s what he said about it;
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js“I’m not too worried about what number I have. I understand #13 is retired & it should be. dan marino, he’s the ?. he’s like the mayor out there, and I have much respect for him. whatever # I’m given by the organization, if it’s 78 or 99-I’ll wear it.”
— josh houtz (@houtz) April 29, 2020
– tua tagovailoa pic.twitter.com/yvY9vgMys8
I actually don’t really buy that Tua doesn’t care what number he wears. I know it’s the smart thing to say because you don’t want to sound like a guy who cares about a number who’s pushy about things that don’t really matter. But, to think that Tua and the absolute majority of players don’t have a number in mind when entering the league is a silly thing to think. Of course, the team has gone to Tua and asked him what number he wants.
It Just Won’t Be Dan’s #
I just know it won’t be Marino’s #13. Not because of some sort of respect thing that old guys will throw out there. The old fans that are self pro-claimed die-hards and have been around since the beginning who will tell you that whether you asked them how long they’ve been a fan of the Dolphins or not, feel that Tua hasn’t earned anything yet. To that, I agree. Tua hasn’t earned anything yet. He would tell you that.
The reasons Tua won’t be wearing #13 is because I don’t think he’d want that added pressure. Why would you want to wear the number of the guy who’s a top 5 quarterback of all time after it’s been retired? You wouldn’t. The other reasons, and this will sound a bit corny, but there’s something to be said about going out there and not trying to be Dan Marino. Instead, go out and be the best Tua Tagovailoa you can be. I know I just got all 90s sitcom dad on everyone, but that’s the truth.
Don’t Think Dan’s the Hey Take My # Kind of Guy
Not for nothing, but Dan doesn’t seem like the type of guy who’d be willing to give that number up. No, I haven’t met the guy, but based on reading about him and watching him on TV, he seems like a guy who cares a lot about what he’s accomplished. Nothing wrong with that, but he’s an intense guy who doesn’t want to thought about in the same breath as others.
Simply put, guys who bang on tables because they made a mistake pronouncing someone’s name on live TV don’t give up their number.
I’m sure we’ll know within a few days what number Tua will be wearing. Personally, I’d rather see him in a double-digit number. I’ve never been a single-digit guy. I will never be a single-digit guy until Tua decides he wants a single digit for his number. Then, I will be a single-digit guy.
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