The first question to Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at his press conference after the Dolphins’ 42-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday inquired if the former Alabama All-American had called an audible on a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

He had.

But after answering that question, Tagovailoa broke away from football before fielding the second question of the session.

“I didn’t really realize how bad things were in Israel,” Tagovailoa said, “and just wanted to bring to attention, for those who don’t necessarily understand things that are going on, that it really is bad. And if you don’t understand, if you go on Google, you look, you search and you read about what’s going on in this world, this world needs prayer. I don’t know what we’ve come to, but just my thoughts, my prayers are out with those people in Israel.

“I know the Ukraine and Russia war is still going on, as well, and just wanted to bring notice that although we have the freedom to do this here, play football and be able to have the freedom to do these things, that to come back into reality and think, that’s where we all are here in this world. Just want to bring that to the attention. Hopefully, we all come together and can pray for the kids, the children, the wives, the women and the men that are putting themselves out there every day for those unfortunate events that are happening right now.”

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On Sunday, eight days after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on Israel, The Associated Press reported Israeli forces were deployed on the Gaza border aiming to dismantle Hamas.

The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 2,670 Palestinians had been killed since the fighting started after more than 1,400 Israelis died in the Oct. 7 assault, the AP reported. In anticipation of military action, the Israelis have told more than 1 million Gaza residents to move south. People trying to leave the area are facing a water crisis, the AP reported.

The comments came after Tagovailoa completed 21-of-31 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against Carolina as the Dolphins improved to 5-1 in the 2023 NFL season.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.