Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa pauses his post-game press conference to address the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine: ‘I didn’t realize how bad things were… this world needs prayer’

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa briefly stopped taking questions at Sunday’s post-game press conference to make a heartfelt statement on the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.

The 25-year-old was speaking after the Dolphins moved to 5-1 with a 42-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

He answered only one question before using his press conference to address the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East. 

Conflict has raged since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, with at least 1,300 people killed and dozens more taken hostage. Around 2,500 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched air strikes in retaliation.

Tagovailoa admitted he had been unaware of the scale of the suffering. After Sunday’s win he said: ‘I didn’t really realize how bad things were in Israel and I just want to bring to attention for those who don’t necessarily understand things that are going on. 

Tagovailoa went 21-31 for 262 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Carolina Panthers

‘It really is bad and if you don’t understand, if you go on Google, you look, you search and you read about what’s going on in this world, this world needs prayer.’

The quarterback said the conflict in the Middle East – as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine – underlined just how fortunate people in the United States are.

‘I don’t know what we’ve come to, but my thoughts, my prayers are with those people in Israel,’ he added.

Thousands of people have been killed following a suprise attack on Israel by Hamas 

‘I know there is the Ukraine and Russia war, (which) is still going on as well and I just wanted to bring notice that although we have the freedom here to do this, to play football… (you) come back into reality and think: that’s where we all are in this world. 

‘So I just want to bring that to the attention and hopefully we all come together and can pray for the kids, the women and the men that are putting themselves out there every day for those unfortunate events that are happening right now.’

Tagovailoa had another strong outing in the win on Sunday, going 21-31 for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

Following a 41-yard strike to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Hill recorded a selfie video of himself doing a backflip as he celebrated.