NFL fans aren’t just spectators—they’re the heartbeat of the game, turning stadiums into electric battlegrounds every Sunday. And few embody that passion like Ian Berger, affectionately known as “Big E“, the heart and soul of Tua Tagovailoa’s Miami Dolphins fanbase. From leading game-day chants to building a tight-knit Dolphins community, his impact goes beyond football. No wonder he won the team’s Fan of the Year in 2020.
However, in the last few months, Big E has been suffering from many medical issues and had to miss out on a few Dolphins’ games due to his condition in the last season. Big E admitted earlier that his medical issues had worsened, and he now requires a liver transplant. On Friday, he took to his ‘X’ account and posted, “As many of you know, I have been dealing with many medical issues the past few months. It’s gotten to the point now where I am now in need of a living liver transplant.”
Now, to help the Dolphins’ biggest fan, Tua Tagovailoa’s mom, Diane Tagovailoa, took to her ‘X’ handle and asked the fans to share Big E’s message. “Family/Friends PLEASE SHARE! Sending you tons of prayers dear friend @ian693 ,” she wrote in his post. It’s clear, being the mom of the Dolphins’ QB, Diane is out there pleading for the fans to help Big E.
Family/Friends PLEASE SHARE! Sending you tons of prayers dear friend @ian693 https://t.co/V3naTuWouC
— Diane Tagovailoa (@dtagovailoa) March 23, 2025
Back in November last year, Big E revealed his Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) diagnosis, a condition that currently has no cure. “Diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) which does not have approved treatments at the moment. Basically, I will eventually need a liver transplant. And I’m now heading back to the UM ER to get admitted as recent blood results were concerning to the doctors,” he shared in November.
In response, the Dolphins’ star wide receiver, Tyreek Hill also sent a get-well message to Big E, while writing, “blessing sent your way,” in a post shared on his official ‘X’ handle. Indeed! The blessing is surely on its way, not just from Hill, but all the Dolphins’ fans out there as well. After all, the team’s waiting to watch his leading cheers at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tua Tagovailoa’s heartfelt support for the fans in need
If there is one thing Tua is known for besides his precision-making or lightning-fast release, it’s his philanthropic work—whether for his fans or the communities that shaped his life. Almost a year after entering the pros, the QB established the Tua Foundation, an NGO, for the support of youth initiatives, health and wellness.
The foundation aims to pour its efforts into the communities that shaped Tagovailoa the most—Hawaii, Alabama, and Miami. On top of that, the QB also established a $300K scholarship endowment for the betterment of his high school, Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Besides, the Dolphins’ QB never feels shy when it comes to helping a fan or their family. Last year, when a Dolphins’ superfan named Eric Carmona, tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident in California, the 27-year-old QB prayed and donated $10K to the family. Carmona, known of his immense popularity used to post Tagovailoa’s supporting video while defending him from undeserved criticism.
“Out of my respect to him … I just want his wife and kids to know that we’re praying for them and that we’re thinking of them,” Tagovailoa stated when asked about the team’s superfan’s tragic death. Sure, the public didn’t know about Eric Carmona’s identity until his death, considering he used a voice modulator and a mask to hide his identity. But one thing’s for sure: his videos gained popularity and the QB recognized his fan’s support.
The post In Need of Immediate Medical Attention, Tua Tagovailoa’s Mom Shares Emotional Plea to Dolphins Fans for Close Friend appeared first on EssentiallySports.