The Chiefs found their way back to the Super Bowl, despite losing guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and running back Damien Williams to COVID-19 opt-outs. However, both players are expected to return for the 2021 season, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
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Duvernay-Tardif, a medical school graduate, was the first NFL player to exercise his right to opt out. Since then, he’s been volunteering at a long-term care facility in Quebec. Duvernay-Tardif was set to play on his five-year, $42.36MM deal. Instead, his contract has tolled, meaning that his deal will resume in 2021 and extend through the 2022 season. The Chiefs surely wish they could have him back today, given that they’re down multiple starters on the front five.
Williams, 29 in April, was inconsistent in the 2019 regular season, but he came up big in the playoffs. Williams scored six touchdowns in the postseason and could have won the Super Bowl LIV MVP award if not for Patrick Mahomes‘ performance. In that game, “Playoff Damien” managed133 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns en route to his first ring.
The Duvernay-Tardif story needs a 30 for 30 episode. Dude opts out of a SB winning team to fight COVID because he’s a doctor first. Meanwhile working for free rather than collecting a portion of that $42m deal.
It’s up there with Pat Tillman. Completely unexpected yet 100% awesome.
Not even close to Pat Tillman
Comparing a hero who left his sports career to fight in Iraq after 9/11…..to just another doctor fighting a virus with 99% survival rate is frankly disrespectful.
I hate that argument of downplaying how many people have died from the virus. Even if only 1% die, that’s still significant. If someone said that it isn’t significant to mourn and acknowledge the death of soldiers because only X amount die, that’s disrespectful. People are dying and it’s admirable that LDT took the year to focus on the greater good and health of others
Trash opinion, “royal” redskin. More people have died from COVID than the War in Iraq. Both are huge sacrifices and both men are heroes. You must be another science denier.
Ignorant af
There wasn’t even a reason to invade Iraq
Yes, what a hero it takes to go shoot innocent people in the desert.
My point was there are football players that know there are other important things in life than the NFL. And I think their stories should be told.
I admire the guy but it’s not anywhere close to Pat Tillman in my opinion. Guy knew he was putting his life on the line and then lost it.
Lots of frontline doctors have died, too. LDT could have died. Both he and Tillman are heroes.
No one brought up Tilman. You made it a comparison. And it was completely unnecessary.
How is that the Chiefs didn’t nominate him for man of the year?
Recent developments in the Chiefs organization have suggested that personal evaluations are not their strength.