Last night, the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals took the field to play against each other, with the Dolphins being 3-0 and the Bengals 1-2. Before the game had even started, however, there was grumbling online as the Dolphins listed their starting quarterback as Tua Tagovailoa, a player who just four days prior was rocked so hard by an impact that he was placed under concussion protocol, meaning he had to be cleared by medical professionals to be allowed to play again due to player health concerns.

After deciding to start him, the worst thing that everyone feared would happen, did, with Tua sustaining another vicious hit to his back and neck, causing him to crumble on the field and require a medical stretcher to carry him off and take him to the nearest hospital.

To understand how Catastrophic Thurs Head Injury was to Dolphins QB #TuaTagovailoa
Watch his 1st injury from Sun & witness how his brain/body betray him after

Then watch the 2nd – JUST 4 DAYS LATER – & pay attention to his Hands & Fingers

This young man will never be the same. pic.twitter.com/kHSAe5gJ2K

— Michael Hustus (@HustusMichael) September 30, 2022

Naturally, this kicked off a host of memes among NFL fans shortly after, propelling both the Dolphins and Tua into the meme spotlight.

This was even tweeted before the game! MiamiDolphins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">NFL #TuaTagovailoa pic.twitter.com/nmpD313A80

— ✨☪️🅰️®️ℹ️♑️@✨ (@ManilaFitz) September 30, 2022

Sources are saying Dr. Simpson from Miami is the doctor that cleared Tua tonight to play, despite his “back injury” 4 days ago. He should have never played tonight! RT if you think he should lose his medical license and be sued up the ass. #Tua #TuaTagovailoa #DolphinsvsBengals pic.twitter.com/dQWiwT2JVy

— e-beth (@ebeth360) September 30, 2022

Leaked footage of Tua clearing concussion protocol pic.twitter.com/6N1AM01gK2

— Circling The Wagons Podcast (@CTWpod) September 30, 2022

After the hit, everyone began talking about how impactful it was, how it made them feel, and how badly the Miami Dolphins organization was perceivably treating their quarterback — especially considering the QB is objectively the most important player on the field since he's the one who handles the ball the most and is responsible for running the offense.

It's well-known that a good quarterback with a bad team can still find mild success, while a good team with a bad quarterback rarely manages to get anything productive to happen. To that end, the NFL has protocols in place that if a player gets hit hard and is visibly shaken, they need to be cleared by staff to be allowed to play, which many are claiming the Dolphins are not following correctly.

This led to a rash of memes in a Weekend at Bernie's style in which an obviously unconscious or dead body is being paraded as alive and well.

pic.twitter.com/iCS7yJ0ttv

— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) September 30, 2022

This is exactly how Miami did tua 😭🤕😭 pic.twitter.com/UiQOOrqkvK

— Tim Brown (@TimBrown757) September 30, 2022

Pretty much how the #Dolphins handle the #TuaTagovailoa situation 😒smh pic.twitter.com/OZceXG5Rgp

— Kevin Mumphrey (@Komumphrey1983) September 30, 2022

This image will haunt the NFL for a long time. Potentially a career ending injury for Tua. How does the NFL still manage to lack keeping their players safe from brain injury? #Tua #NFL #TNFonPrime #TNF pic.twitter.com/oLxCM04qls

— cartier thomas lakers (@yuhyuhber) September 30, 2022

Shortly after the game ended last night, the Dolphins then stated that Tua would be released from the hospital and be able to fly home with the team. He's since arrived safely home and is reportedly in "good spirits" despite the concussion.

Tua Tagovailoa is now at his home in South Florida, was in 'good spirits' upon landing with the team, per source.

MRI to come, possibly second opinion. Initial tests showed no structural damage.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 30, 2022