French Canadian Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is one of the most unique, if not special Canadian NFL players on this list. The Kansas City Chiefs member graduated from McGill University as a Doctor in Medicine and Master in Surgery. Opting out of the 2020 NFL season, Duvernay-Tardif returned to Quebec during the pandemic to help battle the Coronavirus. He also has been working on a device for football helmets called Shockbox, which measures impacts received during games. Duverynay-Tardif was named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and a co-winner of the Lou Marsh Award. He has returned to the Chiefs for the 2021-22 season to resume his NFL playing career.
Canadian NFL Profile: Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
Background of the Medical Mauler
Born in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, on February 11, 1991, Duvernay-Tardif attended College Saint-Hilarie. From age 14-16, he played football and eventually gained an interest in medicine and health. After graduation, he attended McGill University where he was the recipient of numerous accolades.
University Achievements and Awards
Duvernay-Tardif was a four-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and Principal’s Student-Athlete Honor Roll recipient. He received CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-America and District honors as well as the Montreal Alouettes Academic and Athletic Excellence Bursaries. Duvernay-Tardif received the Stuart Forbes trophy for being the McGill male athlete of the year. He was a two-time Touchdown Club Trophy winner for most outstanding lineman and a Dan Pronyk Trophy winner for the most outstanding offensive player. He also received the Students’ Society Trophy for being the most valuable player.
Duvernay-Tardif was nominated as a two-time RSEQ Football All-Star as well as a one-time RSEQ Football Most Outstanding Linesman. He also received a Montreal Alouettes Athletics Excellence Bursary and RSEQ Football Citizenship and Scholarship Award. Duvernay-Tardif received the J.P. Metras Trophy, awarded to the CIS’ Most Outstanding Linesman. He was named a two-time CIS All-Canadian, named the top prospect for the 2014 CFL draft, and one of only two players chosen to represent the CIS at the East-West Shrine Game. He also won numerous leadership and community service awards.
Draft Projection and Selection
The Chiefs selected Duvernay-Tardif with the 200th pick in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Entry Draft. He was also selected in the third round of the 2014 CFL Entry Draft, 19th overall, by the Calgary Stampeders. He had not been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, so he instead held a pro-day in Montreal. Duvernay-Tardif ran the 40-Yard dash in 5.80 seconds, the 20-Yard shuttle in 4.59 seconds, and the Three-one Drill in 7.30 seconds. He completed 34 bench press reps, a Vertical Jump of 32 inches, and a Broad Jump of 9 feet 6 inches. Scouts projected him to be drafted anywhere from the third to the fifth round.
Future Ahead
The Chiefs had subsequently signed him to a four-year $2.34 million contract, and Duvernay-Tardif made his debut against the Houston Texans. He later signed a five-year $42.36 million dollar extension with the team, later having the contract reworked in order to free up cap space for the team.
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