Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs are among the five athletes that have been named Sports Illustrated’s 2020 Sportsperson of the Year. The magazine recognized five athletes who became champions on and off the field in 2020, emphasizing their activism. Patrick Mahomes and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were the two Chiefs players to be recognized by SI, joining LeBron James, Breanna Stewart and Naomi Osaka to round out the group of five.
Mahomes, of course, was recognized for using his platform to stand up for the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death. His participation in a viral video with other NFL athletes helped to bring meaningful change to the league and beyond.
Duvernay-Tardif was recognized for hanging up his cleats and putting on his scrubs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A season after becoming a Super Bowl champion, he opted out to work as an orderly near his hometown in Canada.
Duvernay-Tardif reacted to being named Sportsperson of the Year on Twitter, dedicating the award to healthcare professionals who continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
I dedicate this award to all the healthcare workers who have been making huge sacrifices in order to protect and care for others.
Thank you. The work isn’t over.#Together | #Sportsperson
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) December 6, 2020
It’s quite impressive for the Chiefs organization to have not one, but two players earning this award in 2020. They’re the only NFL players recognized for the award this year. Hopefully, it’ll inspire others to get involved and use their platforms to promote positive change in our communities.
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