“Hawk Tuah” Girl Haliey Welch Opens Up About Her Biggest Regret Since Going Viral Over S*xual Statement
Haliey Welch (Photo via hay_welch/Instagram)
Haliey Welch refuses to go away.
She became a national sensation after a street interview in which she answered a question about pleasing a man in bed.
Her popularity has become so crazy that she has received offers to star in movies and even threw out a first pitch for the New York Mets.
Since launching her own podcast, Haliey Welch has been able to speak more intimately about her life to her fan base.
During the first episode of her podcast, “Talk Tuah,” Welch spoke on her sudden rise to fame and how she had one regret from that viral interview.
Welch said she and her friend hid from the world the first two weeks after her “Hawk Tuah” interview, and she feels like she lost a grand opportunity for endorsements and other things.
“I wish I had jumped on it sooner though,” Welch said, via the New York Post. “I was scared to come out of my house for the first two weeks – me and [Chelsea] both. We locked ourselves in the bedroom.”
Haliey Welch has come a long way from her on-the-street interview with Tim & Dee TV that went viral earlier this summer and featured her describing a method for exciting a man in the bedroom.
Since then, the 21-year-old from Belfast, Tennessee, has signed with management company The Penthouse.
She has also appeared onstage with Zach Bryan as well.
Haliey Welch Signs Massive Deal With Jake Paul
Haliey Welch – also known as ‘Hawk Tuah girl’ – signed with Jake Paul’s Betr company to launch her own podcast.
Welch now launches a weekly podcast, “Talk Tuah.”
The podcast debuted earlier this month. It will include Welch’s signature comedic style and interviews with special guests.
In the podcast’s promo video, Haliey Welch made it clear that her fifteen minutes of fame were not up. She stated, “Y’all really thought I was done? I’m just getting started, baby,” before hopping on a jet ski.
It’s finally time 👀
I can’t wait to tell my story 😈 @talktuahpod coming soon @betr pic.twitter.com/3HnQXNyINI
— Haliey Welch (@HalieyWelchX) September 3, 2024
Since Welch’s viral social media moment during an on-the-street interview, she has refused to let her fame die and has garnered more than two million Instagram followers and many more on other platforms.
What Questions Does The NFL Face After The Latest Tua Tagovailoa’s Concussion Incident?
Tua Tagovailoa injury (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The issue of concussions in the NFL is back in the spotlight after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered yet another head injury last Thursday. Tua, who had two concussions in 2022, managed to stay healthy last season, even leading Miami to the playoffs, which earned him a new long-term contract. But the 26-year-old from Hawaii is facing trouble again after suffering his third concussion in under two years, marking the fourth of his career, including his college days.
Now, with many experts and former players urging him to retire, there’s even talk that the NFL should step in and make the decision for him. The league now faces tough questions as they grapple with potentially losing a franchise quarterback at the height of his career.
Should Tua Tagovailoa Retire?
Tagovailoa is currently under the NFL’s return-to-participation protocol, a five-step process designed to ensure players are thoroughly evaluated before returning to action. This protocol involves assessments by both a team physician and an independent neurological consultant (INC). These medical professionals will consider Tagovailoa’s medical history, including his previous concussions and past head injuries. Only after clearing these steps can he return to the field.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has emphasized that Tagovailoa’s return to the field is not his primary concern now. McDaniel stated, “The timeline for his return is the furthest thing from my mind” because he focuses on Tagovailoa’s overall health and well-being. Once medically cleared, the decision to resume playing will rest entirely on Tagovailoa.
Is Tua Tagovailoa Considering Retirement?
In 2022, after suffering two concussions in a single season, Tagovailoa admitted he considered retirement. His concussions led to serious concerns about his long-term health. At that time, Tagovailoa was still playing under his rookie contract, which was worth $30 million. Despite this early contemplation of leaving the game, Tagovailoa signed a new four-year deal worth $212 million. The lucrative contract reflects his talent and the Dolphins’ faith in his future as their quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa injury (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Tagovailoa’s situation mirrors other NFL players who retired early to protect their health. Andrew Luck, one of the most high-profile examples, retired in 2019 at 29, citing his physical health as the reason. Other notable early retirements due to concussion concerns include Jordan Reed (30), Luke Kuechly (28), Chris Borland (24), and AJ Tarpley (23). Each of these players faced significant concussion issues and opted to step away from the game for their long-term well-being.
How Many Concussions Are Considered Too Many?
The question of how many concussions a player can endure before it becomes too dangerous remains a complicated and unresolved issue. In 2015, the NFL addressed this topic but admitted that there is no definitive answer. A neuropsychologist speaking for the NFL at the time stated bluntly, “We don’t know,” due to a lack of comprehensive data.
Many widely accept that three concussions can cause lasting, detrimental effects. This belief traces back to a 1952 study, which recommended players avoid further body-contact trauma after three concussions. A 2023 study led by teams at the University of Oxford and the University of Exeter further supported this view. The research revealed that individuals who had sustained three or more concussions displayed significantly worse cognitive function than those who had fewer or no concussions.
Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Despite these findings, the NFL has cautioned against adopting a rigid “three-concussion policy.” The concern is that setting a fixed number could deter athletes from reporting concussion symptoms. The current approach allows independent medical personnel to monitor players and trigger concussion protocols whenever they suspect a head injury, regardless of the player’s self-reporting
Is The NFL Doing Enough To Prevent Concussions?
The NFL has made significant strides in addressing the issue of concussions since acknowledging their long-term impact in 2009. After settling a $1 billion lawsuit in 2015 to compensate former players suffering from concussion-related issues, the league committed $100 million to medical and engineering research. This investment has led to various technological advancements aimed at improving player safety.
One of the most impactful innovations has been the introduction of Guardian Caps. These padded covers fit over players’ helmets and reduce the force of head impacts during collisions. Since their introduction, concussions among players wearing these caps have dropped by nearly 50%. Initially, the NFL mandated the use of Guardian Caps in pre-season practice. Now, players can wear them in regular season games, providing additional protection against head injuries.
Tagovailoa going back after injury (Image Credit: Getty Images)
In addition to the Guardian Caps, the NFL has also developed position-specific helmets tailored to the unique head impact risks different players face. For instance, quarterbacks, who often hit the back of their heads on the turf, now have helmets designed to protect that area. The league continues to tweak game rules to minimize dangerous plays, such as adjusting kick-off rules to reduce high-speed collisions.
Was The Helmet Tua Tagovailoa Wearing Good Enough?
In 2022, Tua Tagovailoa switched to a quarterback-specific helmet that offered additional protection for the back of the head. This was in response to his concussion history, which involved repeated head impacts. However, it’s unclear whether Tagovailoa wore one of the newer, more advanced helmet models during his latest concussion incident. Guardian Caps, while effective, was not in use during the game, and the specific helmet model he wore has not been publicly confirmed.