Laurent D. Tardif will work at a Quebec long-term care home this year

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will work at a Quebec long-term care home this year

After becoming the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has announced that he’ll be helping out in his home province this year.

In July, the Super Bowl champion announced he won’t be playing in the NFL this season because he didn’t want to risk contributing to the spread of the disease.

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On Wednesday, Tardif said he will be balancing his off-year between studying at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and working at a long-term care home (CHSLD) in Quebec.

Looking forward to balancing the next year between studying at Harvard T.H Chan school of Public Health and working at a Long Term Care Facility in Quebec. #backtoschool @HarvardChanSPH

— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) September 9, 2020

Tardiff graduated from McGill University in 2018 while playing in the NFL. He has his MD but isn’t yet licensed to practice.

“Being at the frontline during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system,” he said in July. “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’ll do it caring for patients.”

My decision regarding the 2020 NFL season pic.twitter.com/jrY3nZfNWO

— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) July 25, 2020

Duvernay-Tardif characterized the decision as one of the most difficult in his life, and added he was confident in the measures the NFL and his team are taking to keep players coronavirus-free when play resumes.

Tardiff didn’t provide any additional information as to which CHSLD he’ll be working at.

With files from Megan Devlin