Laurent Duvernay-Tardif opts out of NFL 2020 to work as doctor amid pandemic, fans hail him as 'absolute hero'
Canadian football player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be opting out of football in 2020 in wake of Covid-19 pandemic. The Kansas City Chiefs player put out a statement on social media announcing his decision regarding NFL season 2020. Calling it one of his most difficult decisions, he tweeted, “I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally.”
Duvernay-Tardif mentioned how being at the frontline has given him a different perspective on the pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and the 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”. At the end of the statement, Duvernay-Tardif thanked the Kansas City Chiefs for their “support and understanding”.
The Super Bowl Champion has a medical degree from McGill University in Canada and is the first practicing medical doctor to be playing in the NFL. His walking away turns up to be a bigger story than playing in the upcoming NFL season. Fans took to twitter to write how respectable his decision is to serve as a doctor in this crisis, not caring much about the whopping sum of money. “Upcoming NFL season should be a way bigger story than it is. Guy's contract has an APY of 3.5 million (USD!!!) and he'd rather work on the frontlines of a global pandemic for a small fraction of that. Absolute hero.”
Another fan wrote, “Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a RG for the Chiefs, has opted out of playing football this season, choosing instead to work as an orderly in an assisted living facility where he's been volunteering. This decision cost him $2.75M.That, my friends, is grace.”
A pivotal agreement for safety of players
NFL and NFLPA have negotiated an agreement to safeguard the health and safety of the players in a July 24 meeting followed by an NFLPA player representative vote. NFLPA voted 29-3 in favor of the proposed changes.
"We have worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive set of protocols designed to minimize risk for fans, players, and club and league personnel. These plans have been guided by the medical directors of the NFL and the NFLPA and have been reviewed and endorsed by independent medical and public health experts, including the CDC, and many state and local public health officials. The season will undoubtedly present new and additional challenges, but we are committed to playing a safe and complete 2020 season, culminating with the Super Bowl." said NFL commissioner Roger Goodwell in a statement.
He further stated that the agreement “broadly resolves all outstanding issues relating to the opening of training camps and start of the 2020 season" and that training camps will begin as scheduled.
NFL players test positive
The protocol was much needed as many players have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the league sparking fears. “12 rookies have tested positive for Covid-19 leaguewide in the initial round of screening, per source. Those are results from the nine NFL teams that have gotten back results from their initial round of screening. The NFL knew there would be positive tests. Their plan is to isolate those cases and prevent spread through robust testing, contact tracing and education,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted.
He went on to write how the player leadership pushed for a deal to compensate players for opting out or playing amid risk. “Any club personnel — not just players — will be subject to equal discipline if they engage in risky behavior that could expose themselves and others to Covid-19, per source. Details on two types of opt-outs, which are irrevocable and due 7 days from NFL-NFLPA deal being finalized are, High risk: $350,000 stipend with no offset, accrued/credited season and Voluntary: $150,000 salary advance, no accrued/credited season."