Laurent Duvernay-Tardif hardly needs an introduction. The offensive guard with the Kansas City Chiefs was just offered a $41 million contract extension -the biggest ever awarded to a Canadian football player in the NFL.
While Duvernay might be raking in the millions, the 26-year-old continues to live modestly, paying himself what he considers to be a reasonable salary and setting aside the rest for future plans.
Duvernay said his parents taught him that money was a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Football isn’t the only reason Duvernay-Tardiff is turning heads however.
He’s also finishing up med school at McGill University while working full-time in emergency medicine at a Montreal-area hospital.
Earlier this week, Duvernay-Tardif launched his own foundation — LDT Foundation — aimed at encouraging young people to take part in physical activity and live a healthy lifestyle. The launch was scheduled to coincide with the release of his biography The Most Interesting Man in the NFL, written by journalist Pierre Cayouette, with a part of the proceeds going to the foundation.
WATCH BELOW: Quebec football superstar Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is the subject of a biography chronicling his remarkable achievements.
On Friday, Duvernay-Tardif made time in his busy schedule to guest host the morning news in Montreal.
We asked him a few questions to get to know him a little better.
What’s a day in your life like?
“Right now I’m trying to combine medicine with training,” he said, adding that training was high on his list of priorities.
“The only reason things are moving so fast is that I’m decent playing football, so I need to keep it up.”
Add to that his foundation work, a girlfriend, and numerous media appearances and there’s not much time left in the day for other pursuits.
Who inspires you?
While it’s easy to see how Duvernay-Tardif draws accolades on and off the field, he said he draws inspiration from those around him.
“I think all my friends bring me something different. That’s why they’re my friends.”
And while he might be someone to look up to, even heroes have their their “moments.”
What is your most embarrassing moment on or off the field?
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It turns out Duvernay-Tardif’s most embarrassing moment was on the field during a preseason game.
He explained the preseason was when equipment managers had players using different equipment “cleats are broken in, pants are stretched out,” so that during the season players have access to backup equipment should it be required.
“My most embarrassing moment is when my pants ripped off just before a game,” he said. “At first it was just a small hole and it kept getting bigger and bigger.”
Duvernay-Tardif said he stayed on and toughed it out, as running off the field for a change of pants was not an option.
What does the future hold?
The next few years might end up more football-centric, but Duvernay-Tardif expressed his desire to continue in the field of medicine.
“I want to apply for a residency program but I might do a Masters first,” he said.
What type of medicine would you like to practice?
“Emergency medicine. I like the mindset. You need calm and logic, you can’t let emotions get in the way,” Duvernay-Tardif said.
He also said he liked how fast-paced emergency medicine is.
“I like the adrenaline, you go all out and then you relax a bit.”
Although he likes the adrenaline-rush he gets from practicing medicine, he admitted he gets a bigger rush when he’s out on the field.
WATCH: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif guest hosts Global News Morning in Montreal
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