The game had barely ended, but Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasted no time crediting Jesus to a national television audience Monday night. The Dolphins beat the New York Jets 27-21 and were led by Tagovailoa, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, giving Miami (1-3) its first win of the season. Asked his first thoughts on the win during an ESPN postgame interview, Tagovailoa referenced his faith, while offering his support to teammate Tyreek Hill, who was injured.
“First and foremost, all glory belongs to God, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ — just want to thank Him for this victory, for keeping us safe for the most part. My prayers go out to all the guys that got injured tonight — my boy Tyreek.
“It was a team win. That’s all it was,” Tagovailoa added. “That’s all I could say about this. It was hard-fought to the end.
“Just wanted to make sure that I glorified my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” he added.
Hill’s injury took some of the luster off an impressive victory. The star wideout was carted off the field in the third quarter with what was later disclosed to be a season-ending knee injury, ESPN reported. Tagovailoa spoke with Hill on the field as television cameras captured Hill smiling and upbeat.
“He was kind of joking,” Tagovailoa said. “That’s just his personality.”
Tagovailoa is among the NFL’s most outspoken Christian players, although his teams have not matched the success he experienced at Alabama — reaching the playoffs only once in five seasons, despite posting winning records in all but one year. He led the league in passer rating in 2022, passing yards in 2023 and completion percentage in 2024. Injuries have plagued his career, as he’s endured multiple concussions and missed time with broken ribs, a hip injury and a high-ankle sprain. Still, he’s never shy about discussing his faith.
In 2023, he said Scripture was guiding him as he navigated the NFL’s concussion protocol. He and his wife read the Bible every morning, he said.
“And it really helps strengthen our relationship with not only each other, but more so with our Heavenly Father,” he said. “One of our favorite Scriptures is 1 Corinthians 2:9. And what it says is, ‘For no eyes have seen and no ears have heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for you.’ And we always hold dear to that Scripture. We’re always reminded of it.”