Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has always prioritized football, but now the call of medicine is being felt. The guard will start his residency on the 1Ahem July while keeping an open door to take the field in the NFL in the fall if the opportunity arises.
• Read also: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif becomes a free agent
Duvernay-Tardif, who played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2014 to 2021 before being traded to the New York Jets in November, has been a free agent since March.
He assures that he has discussed with teams interested in his services for next season and that he has even received three firm offers from clubs that he prefers not to identify.
However, those who obtained their medical degree from McGill University in May 2018 must begin their residency if they wish to continue down this path.
Last November, he completed his admission application process, as this was the last cycle in which he could apply for his residency. Accepted, he recently obtained work permit from him. He now intends to specialize in family medicine and emergency medicine.
“The goal has always been to do medicine for the next 40 years. I stretched my course as much as possible to maximize football, but I got to the point where the priority has to be medicine. We are talking about a two-year specialist program and without the introductory phase, I would risk putting my career in jeopardy,” said Duvernay-Tardif, who will work at the McGill-affiliated health network.
an open door
Cette phase d’introduction en résidence s’étirera sur deux mois, ce qui fait en sort that in September, if an NFL team manifests itself and that the interest will reciprocate, it will not be a late game for replonger in the bathroom.
“I’m still training and I’ll see in September how I feel, but the teams that have contacted me are comfortable with the situation. I couldn’t be more transparent about it. I prioritize medicine while leaving a door open for myself,” Duvernay-Tardif noted.
file photo
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif graduated from McGill University School of Medicine in May 2018.
bet on yourself
After giving up the 2020 season to lend a hand at CHSLD in Quebec at the start of the pandemic and being sidelined by the Chiefs for two months, he quickly bounced back in New York.
Away from the courts for 18 months, he regained his starting position after just 10 days. This prompts the friendly giant to say that he could do the same thing again, even if he misses summer training camp.
“I’m not pretentious and I don’t like to say that, but I decided to bet on myself. After eight years in the NFL, I earned that right,” he said.
“During all these years in football they tell you that you are not essential, that you can be replaced and that you are a pawn on the board. I will take the opportunity to change that narrative,” he continued.
The Super Bowl above all
In this context, Duvernay-Tardif will continue to listen if an opportunity arises and the market for its services will not be a factor.
“If I go, it’s for a real chance to win another Super Bowl. Money will not play a role in my decision,” the guard said.
In peace if it’s the end on the grounds
Over the years since being drafted into the NFL, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has repeatedly shown that it’s best not to bet against him. However, if his football journey ended this year, he would be completely calm.
“I am 100% comfortable if this is the end,” he said.
“In a very humble way, I consider that I did what I had to do in football. If I keep playing it is only because I am bitten by this feeling of being in front of 80,000 people in an electric stadium and winning as a team. I have not turned a page, but if there is no more football, there is no more football. »
Reservist? Not so fast!
That has the merit of being clear. However, if he gets a call and agrees to put the shoulder pads back on, it would be impolite to believe that Duvernay-Tardif will settle for a dark role.
In the NFL, training camps in July and August inevitably take their toll. While some players fall in battle, others find themselves at the mercy of the economic reality of the salary cap.
Therefore, a lineup in September is not always the one imagined in June.
“Rarely have I met talented players who brought only depth, even if they started out as reserves with a team. The reality is that there are always injuries.
“I don’t live in denial either. I don’t expect if I get to Week 1, with no training camp, they’re going to say, “Here are the keys to the guardhouse on the right,” Duvernay-Tardif said.
reassuring presence
In discussions between the interested teams and his agent Sasha Ghavami, the ‘Doc’ understood that even risking making them languish, he could quickly win his place.
“They told me it can make a lot of teams feel more secure if they have a guard who was traded who became a starter after 10 days for a new team, after being sidelined for a year and a half. The argument that I haven’t played in a long time could be quickly overturned. »
For the moment, however, there will only be medicine and training on the show.
“There will be no more public appearances from July 1, there will be no more dinners, fundraising activities of the foundation… I will give myself the opportunity to dedicate myself to my passion for medicine. »
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