It was an ugly end to the season for Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins.
They were largely uncompetitive during their 26-7 loss to the Chiefs in frigid Kansas City this past Saturday night.
As the final whistle blew and the Chiefs celebrated their victory, a moment of sportsmanship unfolded at midfield between Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes.
To the naked eye, it looked like your normal postgame handshake and exchange of compliments.
However, a mic’d up clip revealed that Tagovailoa asked Mahomes for his jersey – only to be shot down…
🎥 Patrick Mahomes to Tua Tagovailoa as they embraced after the game: "Hell of a season" (@NFL) #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/QqlOBOxNZn
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) January 14, 2024
Tagovailoa has a spotless reputation and seems like a well-respected leader on the Dolphins.
Having said that, Dolphins fans were very upset that their quarterback felt the urge to ask for the jersey of the man who just beat them seconds after the clock struck zero.
For many, the whole jersey-swapping culture makes zero sense.
No matter how you feel about it, you have to admit it’s not a great look for Tagovailoa to be asking for Mahomes’ jersey in that situation.
The fact that Mahomes (partially) turned him down made the whole thing even more embarrassing for the Tua.
Needless to say, Fins fans reacted strongly to the clip on social media…
“#Tua is goofy for this, and #Mahomes is laughing at this clown you just got your ass kicked the game wasn’t even close and you want my jersey??? The @MiamiDolphins better trade or release this clown.. #TuaSUCKS.”
#Tua is goofy for this, and #Mahomes is laughing at this clown 🤡 you just got your ass kicked🦵the game wasn’t even close and you want my jersey??? The @MiamiDolphins better trade or release this clown.. #TuaSUCKS
— Sopaid (@sopaidmafia_1) January 15, 2024
“How F’ing embarrassing. Tua asks Mahomes if he wants to exchanges jerseys. Mahomes says he promised it to someone else, but he’ll send him one. OUCH!!!”
How F'ing embarrassing.
Tua asks Mahomes if he wants to exchanges jetseys. Mahomes says he promised it to someone else, but he'll send him one.
OUCH!!!— FM (@upndownitgoes) January 14, 2024
“So that’s what is on Tua’s mind right after this game? Great now I am embarrassed of him and despise him too.”
So that’s what is on Tua’s mind right after this game? Great now I am embarrassed of him and despise him too.
— CRASH and RANT (@YearoftheFins) January 14, 2024
“get that bum out of our city.”
get that bum out of our city
— Gavin Hatch (@Gavin_Hatch1) January 14, 2024
“Mahomes probably bitched to the refs about the handshake being too rough…”
Mahomes probably bitched to the refs about the handshake being too rough…
— Charlotte Dolfans Club (@CLT_DolfansClub) January 14, 2024
“Tua is not the guy.”
Tua is not the guy
— Phish & Fins🐬 (@KryptoPhish) January 14, 2024
“I mean if you want mahomes jersey you probably have to let him know a decent amount of time before hand lol. Seems like he respects Tua to me.”
I mean if you want mahomes jersey you probably have to let him know a decent amount of time before hand lol. Seems like he respects Tua to me
— Jim (@jimmymontanaro) January 15, 2024
“yeah if my QB ever does this my head would be on Mars.”
yeah if my QB ever does this my head would be on Mars
— PGVO (@PGVO_) January 15, 2024
What are your thoughts on Tagovailoa asking for Mahomes’ jersey immediately following such a devastating loss?
Are Dolphins fans overreacting?
More importantly, what is your take on Tua as a quarterback?
Will he ever be a (truly) elite quarterback in the NFL???
— Yo (@NflandNbafan2) January 14, 2024