{
  "id": 6467895,
  "title": "Tua Tagovailoa comments on being named Falcons' Week 1 starter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/tua-tagovailoa-comments-on-being-named-falcons-week-1-starter",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T20:06:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tua-tagovailoa-comments-being-named-200646297.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Atlanta Falcons have selected quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to be the starter for their opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Despite being the team's top-five draft pick, coach Kevin Stefanski has not yet declared a season-long starting quarterback. This means Tagovailoa must perform well in Sunday's game to secure his position ahead of Michael Penix Jr., who will not be active for the match. During a press conference on Wednesday, Tagovailoa expressed his gratitude for being named the Week 1 starter, describing it as \"very refreshing\" and a \"blessing.\" He emphasized his focus on winning the game rather than proving anyone else wrong, stating, \"The expectation that I put on myself is to go out there and score one more point than the other team.\" Tagovailoa also praised his backup quarterbacks, Jack Strand and Cooper Rush, showing respect despite the unusual situation. The Falcons will face the Steelers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in Pittsburgh.",
  "summary": "Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa comments on being named Week 1 starter vs. Steelers",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}