Dolphins rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa surprises his mother with new Cadillac

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has yet to sign his first NFL contract, but that didn’t stop him from giving his mother, Diane, a Cadillac Escalade for Mother’s Day.

The former University of Alabama star posted video of himself surprising his mother with the gift on Sunday.

‘I know you wanted something that would be able to carry everyone,’ Tagovailoa is heard saying to Diane Tagovailoa.

‘This is mine?’ an emotional Diane asked in response.

‘This is yours,’ he said. ‘So you can go try your new ride out.’

NFL rookie salary structure dictates that Tagovailoa, the fifth-overall pick, will earn $30.3 million over his first four years, and he’ll also get $19.6 million signing bonus.

Tagovailoa’s parents briefly became internet celebrities during last month’s NFL Draft, which became a virtual event due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The left-handed quarterback was pictured at Galu and Diane Tagovailoa’s home in Alabama when the Dolphins picked the young left hander with their first selection. (The family is originally from Hawaii) 

‘This is special for not just me but for my family as well,’ Tagovailoa said after being picked. ‘The biggest thing for me right now is just being able to take it in, soak it in, enjoy it with my family and get to work.’

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has yet to sign his first NFL contract, but that didn’t stop him from giving his mother, Diane, a Cadillac Escalade for Mother’s Day. The former University of Alabama star posted video of himself surprising his mother with the gift on Sunday. ‘I know you wanted something that would be able to carry everyone,’ Tagovailoa is heard saying to Diane Tagovailoa. ‘This is mine?’ an emotional Diane asked in response

Tagovailoa’s parents briefly became internet celebrities during last month’s NFL Draft, which became a virtual event due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The left-handed quarterback was pictured at Galu and Diane Tagovailoa’s home in Alabama when the Dolphins picked the young left hander with their first selection. The family is originally from Hawaii

Miami is hoping he can become a franchise quarterback and the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort that began a year ago and they were apparently undeterred by his long injury history, which includes the fractured hip that ended his 2019 campaign in mid-November.

‘For me and my family, whoever decided to take a chance on us, that’s where I belonged,’ Tagovailoa said. ‘My biggest thing is I’m trying to prove this was the right decision.’

Doctors cleared Tagovailoa last month to run and begin football activities, and he expects to be able to play in his rookie season.

‘What makes me confident in being able to play is what the doctors have told me,’ Tagovailoa said. ‘As far as rehab, as far as the medical rechecks, I’ve checked off all the boxes.’

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said the team is comfortable with Tagovailoa’s health, despite an injury history that includes at least four surgeries at Alabama.

‘Football is a violent game,’ Grier said. ‘Guys are going to get hurt.’

Tagovailoa will compete with returning starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is 37 and is expected to serve as an idea mentor to the rookie. At some point, Tagovailoa will become the 22nd quarterback to start for Miami since Dan Marino retired 20 years ago.

Miami is hoping Tua Tagovailoa can become a franchise quarterback and the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort that began a year ago and they were apparently undeterred by his long injury history, most recently a dislocated and fractured hip that ended his 2019 season in mid-November. Doctors cleared Tagovailoa last month to run and begin football activities, and he expects to be able to play in his rookie season