David Chao, MD: Duvernay-Tardif Opts Out To Continue Work As Doctor

The doctor is out.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is the right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is also the only active player/doctor in the NFL. Additionally, he is the first to declare that he will sit out the season due to CoronaVirus.

When he made his announcement, the ink barely had time to dry on the opt out protocol that the NFL and NFLPA agreed to hours earlier.

Much respect to Duvernay-Tardiffor being the first one to declare that he won't play this year. However, I don't believe this will be the start of a big NFL trend as he has a unique perspective from his unusual position.

Duvernay-Tardif doesn't cite his personal risk as the main reason to opt out. Despite what he describes as a undoubtedly strong safety plan by the league, union and the Chiefs, he acknowledges there is some risk to players. However, he indicates it is his conscience that drives the decision:

"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."

Kudos to Duvernay-Tardif for this stance.

During the Super Bowl week, I asked him whether becoming a NFL player or becoming a doctor was harder and he humbly stated he didn't fully know as he still was unable to truly practice medicine yet. He received his medical degree but has not completed his internship/residency requirements in order to obtain his official license to practice medicine.

During the pandemic he has been working in a long-term care facility as an allied health professional performing nursing type duties. Seeing the affects of COVID first hand is what drives his decision.

His decision is made easier by his contract status. In 2017, he was given a 5 year $42 million contract with total guarantees of over $20 million with a $10 million signing bonus. Earlier this year, his contract was restructured with his new money lowered significantly and the deal set up to void after the 2020 season anyways making him a free agent after this opt out. 

Given the pandemic, Duvernay-Tardif has yet to received his Super Bowl ring.
He will always be a champion in life.