As one of the few southpaws in the NFL, Tua Tagovailoa stands out.
The Dolphins QB has established himself as one of the steadier talents at his position in recent seasons when healthy, posting multiple 20-touchdown campaigns and even leading the league in passing yards in 2023.
Tagovailoa is a compelling individual, but he's also part of a larger family unit, one which has quietly made its mark on the gridiron. With that, here's what you need to know about Tagovailoa's family tree, from famed brother Taulia to his grandfather, Seu.
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Tua Tagovailoa wife: Annah Gore
Tagovailoa is married to Annah Gore. She and Tagovailoa have kept their romance under wraps for the most part, save for an occasional acknowledgement here and there. Nevertheless, they were married in secret in June 2022 and have two children together.
In July 2023, Tagovailoa and Gore took to social media to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their nuptials.
"Happy first anniversary to my best friend and husband! I love you," Gore wrote on Instagram.
Tagovailoa was similarly poignant in his message.
"Never one to put my private life out there. But this one deserved a post. Happy 1 Year Anniversary to my beautiful wife. I love you," Tagovailoa wrote.
Tua Tagovailoa son: Ace Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa and Gore have one son together, Ace. Born in August 2022, Ace Tagovailoa became a bit of a media darling after traipsing onto the stage after his father inked a big-money extension with Miami in 2024.
Ace, the son of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (not pictured), looks on from behind the podium as his father talks to reporters during a press conference on Sunday. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports. pic.twitter.com/q5y9AL6haq
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) July 28, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa daughter: Maisey Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa and Gore have one daughter: Maisey, who was born in 2023.
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Tua Tagovailoa dad: Galu Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa's father is Galu Tagovailoa. The Ewa Beach, Hawai'i, native played an instrumental role in shaping his son's career, albeit the methods he chose to use appeared less motivational than abusive.
Tagovailoa isn't a natural southpaw. He writes and eats with his right hand, but when his father began training him for football at just two years old, he was forced to switch handedness. The reason why: Galu Tagovailoa is a lefty.
"Because I'm the only lefty in the family, I felt like 'okay, I'm gonna make my son a lefty," Galu Tagovailoa told "College GameDay" in 2018.
As Tagovailoa's gridiron career progressed, his father continued to employ extreme measures to push him forward. Tagovailoa starred on the field at Saint Louis School in Honolulu, but if his performances dipped even slightly, there were harrowing repercussions.
"Just know that the belt was involved and other things were involved, as well," Tagovailoa said. "And it's almost the same with school. If I don't get this grade... I'm gonna have to suffer the consequences."
Galu Tagovailoa's North Stars were "the Bible and the belt," Tagovailoa's mother, Diane, said.
"He could go 15-for-15 with four touchdowns, but when he throws a pick, it's the worst game," Galu Tagovailoa added. "It's the worst game."
Tagovailoa wanted to attend a Pac-12 school. His father disagreed. When it came time to select a school, Tagovailoa deferred to his dad.
"My father is the decision maker within the family," Tagovailoa said. "Whether I wanted to go to other schools or not, my dad had the final say with where I was going."
What is Raising Champions LLC?
Raising Champions LLC refers to the quarterback development program founded by Tagovailoa's parents. The program aims to " support & empower athletes through a focus on family, faith, football & culture."
The LLC sees prospects take on a series of drills focusing on "footwork, mechanics and throwing techniques." Those who take part in the spectacle are also offered an opportunity to attend the National Polynesian Bowl Showcase and Combine for a spot in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl.
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Tua Tagovailoa mom: Diane Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa's mother is Diane Tagovailoa.
Optimism tends to spring from the younger Tagovailoa's mouth. His mother is the biggest reason why, he explained in 2020.
"I probably get that from my mom," Tagovailoa said, per The Palm Beach Post. "My mom thinks that everything is going to be good. She is a very optimistic person. She is very prayerful over her kids. I would say I get that from my mom. When everyone else panics, mom is the one to say, ‘OK everybody, relax. Everything is going to be good.’"
Tagovailoa has been greeted with hardship more times than most since embarking on his gridiron career. He was felled first by a potentially career-altering hip injury, then a series of concussions that left some wondering whether he'd step away from the game for good.
Instead, he continues to plod on, aided by his mother's sterling words. On Mother's Day 2020, Tagovailoa attempted to return the favor. Fresh off being selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa presented his mother with a new ride: a glint black Cadillac Escalade.
Happy Mother’s Day to a more than deserving Mother. I love you mom 💙 pic.twitter.com/HrJNb80sdZ
— Tua. T 🇦🇸 (@Tua) May 11, 2020
Tua Tagovailoa sisters
Tagovailoa has two younger sisters: Taysia and Taylor.
Taysia Tagovailoa
Much like her brothers, Tua and Taulia, Tagovailoa embraced athletics growing up. She shined as a shot putter and discus thrower in high school and even took to the gridiron as a middle schooler.
Taylor Tagovailoa
Taylor Tagovailoa followed her brothers to Tuscaloosa, enrolling at Alabama in 2020. She's remained out of the spotlight by and large, but she shared a tender relationship with her maternal grandfather, who died in 2023. Taylor Tagovailoa penned a touching tribute to her late grandfather following his death.
"I think of you every day, not a day goes by where you’re never not on my mind and I start to tear up," Taylor Tagovailoa wrote on Facebook. "Goodbyes are really hard and I can’t believe you’re gone. Everything around me reminds me of you and it makes me sad.
"I can still hear and see you laughing whenever you would tell a joke. It’s the little moments in life that we cherish so deeply with you. I miss you papa."
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Tua Tagovailoa cousin: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
One of Tagovailoa's cousins is Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, a former Notre Dame standout who has since emerged as a budding college football coaching talent.
Tagovailoa-Amosa earned Second-Team All-ACC honors during a four-year stint with the Fighting Irish, forgoing his final season of eligibility to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn't hear his name called, but eventually he joined the Raiders as a practice squad player. Tagovailoa-Amosa hasn't played professional ball since 2022.
Tua Tagovailoa grandfather: Seu Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa's paternal grandfather was Seu Tagovailoa, a respected community member who predicted his grandson's success at a young age.
Dubbed "Chief Tagovailoa" by some and "Papa" by others, Seu Tagovailoa was "the spark, the head coach of our family," a gentle and kind man who tended to display stoic demeanor in most situations.
Seu Tagovailoa came to life during Tagovailoa's Pop Warner contests, discarding his usual fortitude for a more frenetic approach.
Seu Tagovailoa died on July 23, 2014. Tagovailoa briefly considered stepping away from the sport entirely following his grandfather's death, but that choice would've been considered heresy to Seu Tagovailoa, who used to beam when his grandson's name — when his name — spilled over stadium speakers.
"Hearing his name called over the loudspeaker, our name, that would have brought him, the head of our family, so much pride," Galu Tagovailoa told Sports Illustrated in 2015.
So, Tagovailoa kept going. Despite some problems along the way, Tagovailoa seems pretty satisfied with his decision.
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What is Tua Tagovailoa ethnicity?
Tagovailoa is of Samoan descent. He's a two-time Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award winner (2022, 2023).
Tagovailoa wears his heritage on his sleeve — literally. The Dolphins signal-caller sports an intricately woven tribal print on his right and left arms, replete with dark lines and sharp edging. The design pays homage to his Polynesian roots — according to Zealand Tattoo, tattoos on the shoulders and upper arms represent strength and tended to be worn by warriors and chiefs in the past.
Where is Tua Tagovailoa from?
Tagovailoa hails from Ewa Beach, Hawai'i. Located in Honolulu County, the city has a population of 15,388. Tagovailoa isn't the only notable athlete to emerge from the township's glistening shores. In 2005, Ewa Beach's Little League side, representing West Oahu, claimed the Little League World Series crown courtesy of a walk-off home run.