Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Won The Super Bowl With The Chiefs And Is Now Using His Medical Degree To Work In a Hospital Trying To Save Lives
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was Patrick Mahomes' right guard in the Super Bowl just back in February. I know that game seems like years ago considering what we're going through, but flash forward only a few months and you know what's he doing? Dude is on the front lines in a hospital doing whatever he can to help out in the fight against coronavirus. The Chiefs guard went to McGill University in Montreal and got his medical doctorate just before starting his fifth season in the NFL which is just about the most impressive thing I've heard in a long time. He's basically a genius and is more of a hero than any of us combined.
Duvernay-Tardif — who posed at his new workplace in a face mask and medical jacket — recalled how an amazed new colleague asked, “You’re the football player, right?”
“When I answered yes, he said, ‘Bro, you just won the Super Bowl.’ Indeed, I told him, and now I just want to help,” Duvernay-Tardif recalled.
Although he wanted to help, he originally had trouble finding out how he could contribute since he didn't have a license to practice or hadn't done his residency yet.
Soon into the crisis I started to ask how I could help. I reached out to the health ministry and public health authorities, but found out that I fell into a gray area where they didn’t know what to do with me, because I don’t have a license to practice—yet. In the interim, officials briefed me on an almost daily basis, and I used my platform and credentials to relay their messages. In Montreal, for a while, the age group most infected was people between 20 and 29, so there was an issue with enforcing those social distancing measures. I tried to reinforce the need for them.
Eventually Canadian health ministry officials in need of extra help started a recruiting program to help cover those left sick on the front lines. That was his opportunity to join the fight and he jumped at it. I think it's really awesome how great the Chiefs were about all of this too. They easily could have just told him to stay at home and stay safe. Instead they were all in.
I had to check in with the Chiefs from a contract standpoint. They’ve been amazing. They were proud of the fact that I wanted to go help. They said they would support me.
Here's a glimpse into how his first day back at the hospital went.
My shift started at 7:30 a.m. I found out that I would be working for now in more of a nursing role, helping relieve the workers who have already been in place. There’s so much that needs to happen just to visit with every patient—masks donned and hands washed and equipment like gloves and visors tugged on and off and thrown away. I handled a medication cart, making sure to administer the right dosage and in the proper way. Honestly, I was drained after—and looking forward to going back.
Honestly that's so fucking awesome. He probably feels he's just doing his part, but what he's actually doing is heroic. Winning a Super Bowl protecting Patrick Mahomes to saving lives in a fight versus the coronavirus in just a matter of months. Some people are just so much better than us at everything. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is one of those guys.
You can read all about his personal account of these crazy last few months here
P.S. - Hey asshole Goodell. When the NFL does come back, let this guy put MD on his jersey