Kansas City Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has announced his decision to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season. He’s among the first NFL players to opt-out of the upcoming season under the recently agreed to changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Duvernay-Tardif graduated from McGill University medical school in May 2018 with a doctorate of medicine and master of surgery. He spent the offseason in Canada working as an orderly at a long-term care facility.
Duvernay-Tardif took to Twitter to announce his decision. He’ll continue to work at the long-term care facility through the 2020 NFL season.
My decision regarding the 2020 NFL season pic.twitter.com/jrY3nZfNWO
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) July 25, 2020
“Given the worldwide sanitary crisis we are currently experiencing, the NFL and the NFLPA 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.
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. 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.
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.
I want to thank everyone in the Kansas City Chiefs organization for their support and understanding.
Stay safe,
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif”
Opt-outs fall under two categories, high risk and voluntary. This would likely fall under a voluntary opt-out, which means that Duvernay-Tardif would receive a $150,000 advance on his salary with no credited season, but his contract will still toll. Given the current structure of Duvernay-Tardif’s contract, which was restructured this offseason, this could be the last we see of him in Kansas City.
Duvernay-Tardif was drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He’s been the starter at the right guard position since 2015 when he first started 13 games at the position. Kansas City will need to find a new starter at the position for the upcoming 2020 season.
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