The Falcons are in the news this week due to Tua Tagovailoa for seemingly putting his foot in his mouth. The Atlanta quarterback who most recently played for the Miami Dolphins is drawing criticism for comments that he made during a recent press conference. Tagovailoa stated that while he is fully committed to his football career, he views his family as his main priority when not playing for the Falcons. This prompted critics to question the Atlanta quarterback and whether this is the mindset an NFL team wants its franchise quarterback to have.
Atlanta Quarterback Claims He is a Part-Time Football Player
“I have a three-year-old who is going to be four and a two-year-old, boy and girl,” Tagovailoa said. ” I think it’s the best. I think that’s my first job, and I’m a part-time football player. I’m just glad I still get to live my dream out and be able to play.”
To any father out there, the immediate reaction to this would make sense. Yes, family comes first. The reality is that being a parent is always a full-time job with extensive overtime. And if you were to bring it down in terms of hours committed, being a professional football player in the NFL is in fact a part-time job. While the Atlanta quarterback claimed playing football is part-time, what it seems he is trying to convey more than anything else is that his family is more important than anything else.
It is Easy to Misinterpret the “Part-Time” Comment
Tagovailoa could have certainly provided a bit more context for what he was trying to convey. An NFL QB claiming that they are part-time is never going to go over well with the front office of any organization. When it is said out loud, it feels like you are not committed to the job.
Even if the Atlanta quarterback were to backtrack and explain his thoughts, the damage was already done. The moment that Tagovailoa begins to perform poorly in Atlanta, critics will point because at this moment and claim that he is not dedicated to the team or the game of football. Unfortunately, soundbites in the NFL can take on a life of their own, and if Tagovailoa’s stats plummet in 2026, this quote will definitely be brought up throughout the season.
Will the Atlanta Quarterback Eat His Words?
Tagovailoa has not commented on the quote he made and whether or not the media and critics took it out of context.
That likely will not stop the discussion from following him throughout the 2026 season.
Fair or not, quarterbacks are judged differently from every other position in sports. Fans want their franchise quarterback to be obsessed with football, and any suggestion that the game is not their top priority can quickly become a talking point. If Atlanta starts winning games, the comments will likely be forgotten. If the Falcons struggle or Tagovailoa’s production declines, however, expect the quote to resurface every time the team suffers a disappointing loss.
The reality is that many NFL players have families and interests outside of football. The difference is that few openly describe the game as a “part-time job.” Whether Tagovailoa simply chose the wrong words or genuinely views football differently than many of his peers, the results on the field will ultimately determine how this comment is remembered. For now, the quote has created a storyline that the Atlanta quarterback may spend the entire season trying to escape.
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