Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is a Super Bowl champion.
The Quebecer was already the first doctor to play in the Super Bowl, but now he can also claim the title of first person from the province to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Kansas City Chiefs’ fourth-quarter comeback to defeat San Francisco 31-20.
On the campus of McGill University, where the 28-year-old played football before entering the NFL in 2014, students reacted to the news with excitement.
McGill student Melanie Goyett told Global News that watching the game knowing Duvernay-Tardif was once a McGill student was exciting.
“He represents us,” she said.
On Twitter, the university made note of Duvernay-Tardif’s win, adding praise as well for Dr. J.P. Darche, the team’s physician, who is also a McGill alum.
Joshua Archibald, a McGill football player, said it’s motivating to play for the same university team as the player once did.
“I’m standing in the exact same locker room,” Archibald said. “If he can do it, so can we.”
McGill football coach Ronald Hilaire, who has followed Duvernay-Tardif’s career throughout the years, said the historic win was nothing short of incredible.
“In the fourth quarter, battling to get back and ultimately win, it was quite a surreal moment,” Hilaire said.
Quebec Premier François Legault also took to twitter to congratulate the player, saying the victory was a proud moment for the province.
If Duvernay-Tardif gets the chance to bring the trophy home with him in the off-season that lies ahead, it is likely he will make a stop with his championship hardware on the McGill University campus.
–With files from Global News’ Brayden Jagger Haines