Tua Tagovailoa Denies Bringing 400 Family Members to CFP Title Game vs. Clemson

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa denied reports that he was bringing over 400 family members to the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Clemson Tigers on Monday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. 

On Saturday, Tagovailoa told reporters he wasn't bringing that many people, noting he doesn't even know 400 family members. 

On Friday, Joseph Goodman of AL.com reported a family source said the current ticket count among the Tagovailoa clan is 405 and added that's "expected to grow."

Playing the game in California presented an opportunity for many of the 20-year-old superstar sophomore's family members to make the trip from his native Hawaii, while Goodman reported there are many others living throughout the Western portion of the United States.

Derek Fa'avi, an uncle of Tagovailoa and assistant coach for the Division II Adams State Grizzlies, told Goodman he was looking forward to watching the game among family.

"Just physically us being there is the biggest thing, the show of support," he said. "I'm really excited to see all of our family. It's going to feel like a little family reunion."

In December, Tagovailoa credited his upbringing in the Aloha State for his success, which includes finishing second in 2018 Heisman Trophy voting, per Alex Byington of the Montgomery Advertiser.

"All I can say is I'm definitely reaping what I've been sowing since I was little," he said.

Many of the people who helped in that process will likely watch him attempt to lead the Tide to their sixth national title since 2009, but initial reports of the numbers attending the game in person appear to have been wide of the mark.