Tua Tagovailoa suffered three documented head injuries during the 2022 NFL season, one of which sent him to the hospital. To try and avoid another head injury in the future, he is turning to judo.
Judo, an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, was created in 1882. It focuses on immobilizing opponents with a pin or forcing submission with a joint lock or a choke. Strikes and use of weapons are not allowed.
Judokas will inevitably collide with the ground on a frequent basis in competition. That is essentially the entire goal of the sport.