TAGOVAILOA ‘EXCITED’ FOR SEA DEVILS DEBUT

Craig Llewellyn World Football

Taulia Tagovailoa will make his European League of Football debut at Bremen’s Weserstadion this weekend, despite only having been on the continent for a little over seven days.

Tagovailoa, younger brother of Miami Dolphins QB Tua, will take the field for the first time as the Hamburg Sea Devils host Stuttgart Surge in their opening home game of the 2025 campaign. The Sea Devils have gone 1-1 through the first two weeks of the season, losing by a point in Madrid before beating Prague on the road, but lost expected season-long starter Micah Leon to a broken hand late in the opener, forcing backup Moritz Maack under center in the Czech Republic.

Tagovailoa arrived in Hamburg last week and was immediately part of the trip to Prague, but a lot has happened for the 25-year-old Hawaiian since then.

“I’m really excited about the welcome here,” Tagovailoa said. “The coaches and players immediately treated me like a family member. I feel the solidarity — that’s something special.

“After my time in the CFL, I was at a point where I didn’t know what to do next. Then I got the message from [Sea Devils GM] Mark [Weitz], and then everything happened very quickly. I was on a plane to Hamburg within two days.

“I’m grateful for this new opportunity to play football and continue living my dream: I’m here to win games. Of course, it takes time to learn the system and build chemistry with the receivers, but I’m working hard. I firmly believe we can put on a strong performance against Stuttgart.”

When asked what sets him apart as a quarterback, Tagovailoa answers confidently but remains down-to-earth, having put up big numbers while playing quarterback for the University of Maryland before going undrafted in 2024.

“Leadership,” he stresses. “I was a starter in college, played in big stadiums, but what counts is hard work. I’m not here to rest on my laurels. I want to show that I’m ready to deliver — for the team, for the fans, for Hamburg.”

For many fans, the match at the Weserstadion is something special, especially after the Sea Devils played there last year with great success. Now, with a major draw under center, there is even more reason to attend.

“We know we have to regain the fans’ trust after a difficult year,” Weitz admitted, “but, with the win in Prague and a playmaker like Taulia, we’ll be heading into the home game stronger. Taulia brings tremendous experience, from the University of Maryland to the CFL, and his understanding of the game, his mentality and his leadership are exactly what we need right now.”