Chiefs' Laurent Duvernay-Tardif becomes first NFL player to opt out of season
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without a significant member of their offensive line once the 2020 season begins.
Lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has opted out of the 2020 campaign, he announced on Twitter, and is the first NFL player to officially announce that he won't suit up this year.
The 29-year-old graduated from medical school at McGill University in Canada and has been assisting as an orderly in a long-term care facility in Montreal during the coronavirus pandemic.
Duvernay-Tardif acknowledged that it was an extremely difficult decision, though his teammates, including Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes, praised their him for his hard work amid the pandemic:
According to an agreement made between the NFL and NFL Players Association on Friday, players considered to be at high risk for COVID-19 infection can earn $350,000 and an accrued NFL season if they opt out in 2020. Players without risk can make $150,000.
Duvernay-Tardif was supposed to make $2.75 million this coming season. He's been the Chiefs starting right guard for the past five seasons and played every snap during Kansas City's Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Duvernay-Tardif's announcement likely will trigger some more statements from various players around the league. Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley admitted he might sit out the 2020 campaign if the league and union can't agree on coronavirus health and safety terms, while New England Patriots stars Devin and Jason McCourty have been highly skeptical of playing football amid the pandemic.
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