It has not even been one year since Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, was celebrating the team’s Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers—but now, the football star is opting out of the upcoming NFL season.
Since Duvernay-Tardif is a medical school graduate from McGill University in Montréal, he has been working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreaks at a long-term care facility in Canada.
Rather than returning to “play the sport he loves,” Duvernay-Tardif says he will continue assisting as an orderly until the novel coronavirus is controlled.
The 29-year-old athlete published an open letter to his social media followers last week announcing his absence from the 2020 football season.
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“Given the worldwide sanitary crisis we are currently experiencing, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to significant health and safety protocols to protect the players,” wrote Duvernay-Tardif. “There is no doubt in my mind the Chiefs’ medical staff have put together a strong plan to minimize the health risks associated with COVID-19, but some risks will remain.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my life, but I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally,” he continued. “That is why I have decided to take the Opt Out Option negotiated by the League and the NFLPA and officially opt out of the 2020 NFL season.”
Today is National Orderly Day.
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) May 20, 2020
Now more than ever, it’s time to remember how valuable they are. I've learned a lot from them over the past weeks as they are the ones who often spend the most time with patients. Through this pandemic, the care we give to our elderly is crucial. pic.twitter.com/TDdQqV9tq3
According to ESPN, the “Opt Out Option” for the 2020 NFL season will offer $350,000 and an accrued NFL season to players who are considered high risk for COVID-19 while players who are not considered high risk can earn $150,000 for opting out. The sports news website goes on to say that Duvernay-Tardif was scheduled to make $2.75 million this season.
“Being at the frontline during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system,” he wrote. “I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients.
“I want to thank everyone in the Kansas City Chiefs organization for their support and understanding,” concluded Tardif.
My decision regarding the 2020 NFL season pic.twitter.com/jrY3nZfNWO
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) July 25, 2020
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