President Donald Trump announces council for President's Physical Fitness Test.
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President Donald Trump announces council for President's Physical Fitness Test, which included Tua Tagovailoa.
This is quite a disturbing trend we’re seeing.
Last Thursday, President Donald Trump announced his new council for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, which was revived in 2025. Many names were announced and one of them was Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, even if he doesn’t have any idea how it happened.
Speaking about it on Wednesday for the first time since the White House announcement, Tua admitted he doesn’t know anything about it.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Tua said. “It’s an honor. I would say I don’t know too much about it, but it’s an honor.”
That’s probably the right thing to say if he doesn’t want to dip his toes into political waters.
Donald Trump can’t pronounce Tua’s last name
During the announcement, Trump (‘Keep it about football, Micah. Keep it about football, Micah. You can do this.’) did a thorough hatchet job when pronouncing his last name, “Tagovailoa.” It’s a name that looks complicated at first, but my nine-year old daughter could sound it out or, better yet, learn it before trying to say it loud for the first time in public.
“Tag-oh-vah-lee-ah,” the near octogenarian said with a butcher’s knife.
For what it’s worth, Tua got a chuckle out of it.
“I don’t think he’s had the worst,” Tua replied when asked if it was the worst he’s ever heard his name pronounced. “I’ve heard a couple worse in Alabama. But it is what it is. I don’t take that to heart.”
Tua then did his best Donald Trump impersonation based on what the president said about him at the announcement.
“He’s a great guy, phenomenal guy,” Tua started. “He’s got to stay healthy. … I liked that. I enjoyed it.”
How did any of these guys end up on the council?
Tua wasn’t the only NFL player who was named as a council member. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was also on the list. However, on Monday, Barkley said he not only didn’t know he was on the council, but that he actively turned down the opportunity several months ago.
“A couple months ago it was brought to my team,” Barkley said. “I felt like I am going to be super busy, so me and my family thought it would probably be in my best interest to not accept that. I was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned.”
Barkley might have been a little bit more sensitive to associating with Trump after he faced backlash for his Super Bowl White House visit that also included a round of golf with the president and a trip on Airforce One.
“Lol some people are really upset cause I played golf and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,” he posted on X at the time. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand… Just golfed with Obama not too long ago…and look forward to finishing my round with Trump!”
Regardless of your politics, any association with this administration is going to be polarizing one way or the other. Remember when Tom Brady had the red “Make America Great Again” hat in his locker back in 2015? Yeah, that didn’t last long.
In Tua’s case, he’s not even sure how he landed on the president’s fitness council. He was asked how this all developed.
“I should ask you that question too, brotha,” he replied. “How did that all develop? I’m not sure.”
Anyone else think it’s beyond odd that professional athletes are being named to any president’s council (regardless of what it’s for) and they either declined the invitation or have no clue how they landed the job?