The time for retirement has come for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who is leaving the NFL after nine seasons.
• Also read: “We have a lot of work ahead of us”: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is about to take over the family bakery
• Also read: Quebec fans are proud to witness Matthew Bergeron’s debut
The Quebec guard will make the official announcement this afternoon at 2 p.m. during a press conference at Percival Molson Stadium.
Duvernay-Tardif made a name for himself with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played until 2021 before moving to the New York Jets. He won Super Bowl 54 as a starting right guard with the Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers in Miami.
Archive photo, AFP
“Although it will be difficult to close the door at this stage of my life, I am calm about this decision and retire feeling that I have fulfilled my duty. I do not see this incredible experience as an end goal, but as a stepping stone for other projects,” he said on his social networks while waiting to make his comments in person.
Duvernay-Tardif thanked his agent Sasha Ghavami, his wife Florence, McGill University, where he earned his medical degree, and the Chiefs and Jets. He of course had a special thought for the Quebec fans who supported him.
“And I thank you all for the unconditional and inexhaustible support you have given me over these 9 years. I feel blessed to have experienced this with you,” he said.
- Listen to the podcast The payment zone below:
Duvernay-Tardif played 79 games in the NFL, including 71 as a starter. He returned to the Jets last November and mentioned last spring that he was comfortable with the possibility of retiring if he didn’t get a good contract offer.
In 2020, he was named Sports Illustrated’s Athlete of the Year.
Free photo
More details to follow…