Earlier in this turbulent week for the Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel joked that enough people had seen him cry.
The Dolphins coach was referring to a news conference in which he choked back tears while reflecting on a controversial traffic stop involving Tyreek Hill hours before Miami's season opener. Five days later, McDaniel sat down for another news conference not 24 hours after a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills, and he again couldn't hide his emotions.
His quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is in the concussion protocol, dealing with his third diagnosed concussion in three years after colliding head-first with defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
McDaniel ran onto the field to check on Tagovailoa, who sat up after a few minutes and was helped to his feet by trainers. As McDaniel walked with Tagovailoa to the sideline, he gave his quarterback a kiss on the side of the head.
"I told him he's the starting quarterback of his family," McDaniel said Friday morning, speaking slowly and somberly as he recounted the moment, "and to go in the locker room, take a deep breath and I'll see you soon."
