Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has ignited a firestorm of controversy and accusations of ignorance after proposing the NFL stage its next international showcase in Jerusalem.
The Controversial Comments
The incident unfolded during a postgame press conference in Spain, where Tagovailoa and the Dolphins had just secured a 16-13 victory over the Washington Commanders. When questioned about his preferred future international destinations, the quarterback first mentioned his home state of Hawaii.
He then turned his attention to Europe, stating, 'Shoot, it would be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem, I don't know. That would be sick.' The remark displayed a significant geographical error, as Jerusalem is located in Asia, not Europe, and demonstrated a apparent lack of awareness regarding the violent conflict that has engulfed Israel in recent years.
Immediate Social Media Backlash
The suggestion to hold a major sporting event in the contested capital city was met with swift and fierce criticism on social media platform X. Leading the charge was former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, who did not hold back in his assessment.
Stills quoted a clip of the press conference and brutally concluded: 'Lacks awareness in all areas of his life.' His sentiment was echoed by a wave of fans and users who condemned Tagovailoa's proposal.
One critic remarked, 'They gotta stop letting this man up to the podium,' while another pointed out, 'Who's gonna tell bro that land is war torn.' A third user posted, 'He has no idea what’s going on in Jerusalem right now. He thinks Jesus still lives there,' highlighting the perceived disconnect from current geopolitical realities.
The NFL's Global Ambitions
This controversy emerged during the seventh international fixture of the 2025 NFL campaign, a series that has already seen games take place in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Brazil. The league's global expansion is set to continue, with the Los Angeles Rams scheduled to play in the first-ever NFL game in Australia next year.
While Jerusalem is almost certainly not on the table, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed that Asia is the next target for the league's international series following the Australia venture in 2026.
Goodell stated in September, 'I think our next step after Australia would be probably moving into Asia. That's a continent we'd like to be playing in. We are serious about being a global sport. We would like to get to 16 games so everyone is playing one game a year internationally.'
Tagovailoa's comments, however, have cast an unwelcome spotlight on the complex challenges and sensitivities involved in the NFL's ambitious global marketing strategy.
