Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif chose not to participate in the 2020 season, he wrote on social media, becoming the first NFL player to publicly say he will not adapt this year.
Duvernay-Tardif, 29, graduated from McGill University medical school in Canada and had been helping as an assistant at a long-term care facility in the Montreal area during the coronavirus pandemic.
In his publication on social networks, he described the decision as one of the most difficult he has ever made.
“Being on the front line during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it places on people and our health system,” he wrote. “I can’t afford to potentially transmit the virus in our communities just to play the sport I love. If I’m going to take risks, I will do so by caring for patients.”
Under an agreement approved by the league and union on Friday, players considered high-risk for COVID-19 can win $ 350,000 and a cumulative NFL season if they choose to opt out of the 2020 season. Players without risk can win $ 150,000 for choosing not to participate. Duvernay-Tardif was planning to earn $ 2.75 million this season.
Players have seven days from the time the deal is officially signed, probably Monday, to make a decision on whether to opt out of the season.
Duvernay-Tardif has been the Chiefs’ starting right guard for the past five seasons and played every offensive shot in his Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
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