Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, already juggling a career as a professional soccer player with one as a doctor, could reinvent himself in the maritime world as he was named an honorary captain in the Canadian Coast Guard on Wednesday.
• Also read: ‘The love of football is still there’: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to ponder his NFL future in the coming months
• Also read: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in the Jets regular squad
Of course, in this ambassadorial role, the 31-year-old will not have to conduct on-water interventions, but will help promote the organisation’s mission and values. This includes attending special events and visiting Coast Guard bases and vessels.
“As a navigation enthusiast, it is a great honor for me to receive the title of Honorary Captain of the Coast Guard and to make myself a proud defender of its values,” Duvernay-Tardif wrote. I’m excited to support the Coast Guard in fulfilling their mission of saving lives and protecting the environment. I’m looking forward to the deployment experiences with its members on water, on land and in the air!”
In addition to his many trades and hobbies that have made him one of the most active men in Quebec, “LDT” has a special love for sailing. In a statement, Commissioner Mario Pelletier said the footballer was “the ideal candidate” to become the Coast Guard’s first honorary captain.
“Having our first Honorary Captain is a big step towards our goals and I couldn’t be happier to welcome Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to this role. His commitment to helping others and giving back to his community makes him an ideal candidate to serve as an ambassador.
Duvernay-Tardif returned to the NFL with the New York Jets last season after putting his career on hold to start medical school.
A native of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, he has also been a spokesperson for School Perseverance Days and the Federation of Quebec Milk Producers in recent years.