KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is forgoing the 2020 NFL season in favor of his second job.
The Chiefs offensive lineman, a starter in last season's Super Bowl, is opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, he announced Friday on social media. The only medical doctor on an NFL roster, Duvernay-Tardif will instead continue working at a long-term care facility in his native Canada, about an hour outside Montreal.
He is the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19.
He explained his decision with a lengthy statement Friday.
"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," Duvernay-Tardif said, also adding, "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. 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."
In amendments to the collective bargaining agreement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL and NFL Players Association allowed players an opt-out option.
Duvernay-Tardif, 29, started 14 games at right guard for the Super Bowl champions last season. He has made 57 starts over the past five seasons. He was scheduled to earn $2.75 million in 2020. Per the NFL and NFLPA agreement, players who opt out will receive $150,000, meaning Duvernay-Tardif is leaving about $2.6 million behind.
He pledged for his current job _ a hospital assistant _ during the pandemic. His duties there resemble an orderly, he said in an interview with The Star earlier this offseason. "I don't want to look like a superhero or whatever," he said then. "I'm just doing my duty."
The Chiefs are one of nine teams to have their infectious disease emergency response (IDER) plans approved as they are schedule to have players report to camp this weekend.
"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. 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," Duvernay-Tardif wrote.
