Bart Scott: ‘Seeing spots and lights’ led to NFL retirement

Andrew Florio - BVM Sports Journalist

Updated: September 13, 2024

(BVM) – Concussions have dominated the topic of conversation Friday morning after Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered another head injury in a Thursday night primetime matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

It was the 26-year-old’s third documented concussion since the beginning of the 2022 season.

The quantity and severity of these head injuries have left fans and people involved in the game concerned about his safety, even sharing some of their own stories.

Bart Scott, a former NFL linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets, shared his experience on ESPN’s “Get Up” program on Friday.

“Everybody thinks I retired because of my toe,” Scott said. “I had reconstructive surgery on my toe when I left. But really it was because I started seeing spots and lights. I was like, ‘You know what? It’s time to fold it up.”

Scott had a 60-tackle, nine tackle-for-loss season in 2012 and was then cut by New York the following offseason. The veteran defensive leader never played again after that, calling it quits at 32 years old. 

He continued his statement by empathizing with Tagovailoa and the tough decision that is in front of him.

“Leaving the game that you dedicated your entire life to is like a death,” Scott said. “Everything that you have done has been defined by what you have done as a football player. All of the best qualities of us are learned on the football field (like) how to work with others and how to be accountable. Now you’re not a part of that and it’s the loneliest feeling in the world.”

Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with Miami in the offseason, already having received $43 million of his guaranteed money. If he is cleared to play medically and decides to retire, he would have to forgo the remaining $124 million that is guaranteed on his contract according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac. 

If Tagovailoa is declared medically ineligible to return, then he is still entitled to those funds.

Money is secondary to the star QB’s health, and when former players like Scott give their testimonials, Tagovailoa should strongly consider leaving football despite his passion for the game.