Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa says he is proud and humbled by being selected to serve on the newly reinstated President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Appointed via an executive order signed July 31, the council revives the Presidential Fitness Test and aims to engage celebrated athletes in promoting youth wellness across America.
Tagovailoa described the opportunity as “an honor,” even though he admitted he wasn’t deeply familiar with the council’s day-to-day workings.
When asked by reporters on Wednesday how the appointment came about, Tagovailoa responded, “I should ask you that question, too, brother. How did that all develop? I’m not too sure.”
Despite his uncertainty, he acknowledged the designation positively. “I think it’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s an honor. I would say I don’t know too much about it, but again, I think that’s an honor.”
Tagovailoa‘s comments echo those made by Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who was also recently named to the council and similarly stated that he had no prior knowledge of the appointment.
During the signing ceremony at the White House, President Donald Trump attempted to acknowledge Tagovailoa by name, but mispronounced it loudly and clearly, prompting widespread online attention.
Trump said “Tua Tag-Oh-Vahlia” before praising the quarterback: “he’s been fantastic. When he’s not injured, he’s great. He’s gotta stay healthy. He’s a great guy”
Tagovailoa reportedly brushed off the error with good humor, noting that national figures often struggle with his Hawaiian-Polynesian surname.
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition is a longstanding advisory committee tasked with promoting policies and public initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles across the United States.
Council members are often prominent figures from the fields of sports, health, and wellness, selected to serve as national role models.
Several sports stars chosen to help encourage youth fitness
Trump‘s executive order not only revived the council but also officially brought back the Presidential Fitness Test, a program phased out in 2012 under the Obama administration, which had replaced it with a less performanceoriented youth fitness effort.
The aim is to restore youth engagement in measurable physical education, including mile runs, pushups, sitandreach flexibility tests, and more structured athletic benchmarks.
The council comprises a high-profile mix: active and former NFL stars such as Tagovailoa, Barkley, Nick Bosa, and Harrison Butker, alongside legends in golf and hockey including Bryson DeChambeau as council chair, Annika Sörenstam, Jack Nicklaus, Mariano Rivera, Wayne Gretzky, and others.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and college sports administrators are also involved.
From Tagovailoa‘s point of view, the selection represents a chance to have a positive impact off the field.
His 2024 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to 11 games, though he still finished with a leagueleading 72.9 % completion percentage, 2,867 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and a 101.4 passer rating.
Entering his fifth year, he’s aiming for health and consistency to help the Dolphins return to postseason contention.
Meanwhile, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel couldn’t resist referencing the president’s comments in a recent interview.
“If I was concerned about how serious he’s taking his part in staying healthy, I think he got an executive order last night to stay healthy if I’m not mistaken,” McDaniel quipped, before commending Tagovailoa‘s growth: “He lives and embraces controllables … and he’s not afraid of any work so guys are responding.”
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