Chiefs' Duvernay-Tardif helping fight COVID-19 at long-term care facility
In less than three months, Kansas City Chiefs right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has gone from competing in the Super Bowl to working on the front lines against the coronavirus pandemic.
Duvernay-Tardif became the first active NFL player with a Doctor of Medicine degree after graduating from McGill University in Montreal in 2018. He's now helping at a long-term care facility near his hometown in Quebec and detailed his first day at the institution.
"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," Duvernay-Tardif told Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop. "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."
He added, "It's wild to think that just 10 weeks earlier I played in the biggest game in sports. I was reminded of that even at the facility, when one of the people training me turned and said, '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 said there's been one positive test for COVID-19 at the facility, but due to measures in place, the virus has been contained. He also said the Chiefs have been "amazing" and were proud of him for wanting to help.
The 29-year-old is entering his seventh season with the Chiefs. He started 14 games for the team in 2019.