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Tua Tagovailoa debuts a new, nearly unrecognizable look

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Tua Tagovailoa debuts a new, nearly unrecognizable look

Tua Tagovailoa was unrecognizable to some after he debuted a completely different hairstyle on Thursday.

The Dolphins quarterback sported long, curly hair and a clean-shaven face during a meet-and-greet with fans at a Macy’s in Aventura, Fla., as seen in a video posted on social media by NBC 6 South Florida.

“QB1 for what team? That ain’t Tua,” someone wrote on X in response to a clip of the 26-year-old signal-caller smiling in a photo with fans.

Macy’s celebrates the launch of Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Perry Ellis collection at Macy’s Aventura on Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Aventura, Fla. AP
Tua Tagovailoa with a fan at the event. AP

“There’s no way that’s him,” another person wrote.

“Guy posing with Tua looks more like Tua than this ‘Tua’ does,” one X user added.

Giselle Espinales — a sports reporter for NBC 6, who posted the video — acknowledged the confusion, and confirmed that she was at the event and it was indeed Tagovailoa.

Tua Tagovailoa looked nearly unrecognizable. AP

“You guys are too much with the comments,” she wrote. “Trust me, it’s Tua. Just clean-shaven. He was great with fans taking pics and signing autographs.”

Tagovailoa seemed thinner to some, while others expressed that his new look made him look years younger.

“Lookin slim,” someone wrote.

Tagovailoa slimmed down recently so he could enhance his mobility on the field, according to his trainer Nick Hicks, co-owner and director of performance at Per4orm, according to Sports Illustrated.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks during a news conference following an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston. AP
Tua Tagovailoa looks on after his team’s 31-17 win against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images

The quarterback lost 10-15 pounds and is down to 220 pounds, NFL Network reported earlier this month, adding that he’s at his ideal playing weight this year.

It came after Tagovailoa bulked up in the 2023 offseason in order to sustain a 17-game season after a series of scary concussions.

Tua Tagovailoa (1) talks during a post-game news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. AP

Tagovailoa donned a full beard and a shorter hairstyle last season when he led the league with 4,624 passing yards while helping the Dolphins to an 11-5 record.  

The fourth-year quarterback attended the Dolphins’ organized team activities (OTAs) earlier this week, and showed off his deep passing prowess during a 7-on-7 drill when he connected with rookie seventh-round pick Tahj Washington on a long touchdown pass.

Miami and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle agreed on a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension that includes $76 million guaranteed, WME Football, his agency confirmed on Thursday.

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