Chiefs OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is the First Player to Opt Out of the Upcoming Season

Kansas City Chiefs starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020 season.  He announced his decision on social media on Friday.

The 29-year-old is going to work as an orderly in a long-term care facility in Montreal.  The medical school graduate has been working there during the pandemic.

From ESPN:

Duvernay-Tardif, 29, is a medical school graduate from McGill University in Canada, and he had been assisting as an orderly in a long-term care facility in the Montreal area during the coronavirus pandemic.

In his social media post, he called the decision one of the most difficult of his life.

"Being at the frontline during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system," he wrote. "I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients."

Chiefs’ starting RG @LaurentDTardif is the first NFL player to opt out of his contract due to COVID-19. Duvernay-Tardif will not play this year and instead will continue to work as an orderly at a long-term care facility in Canada, helping fight COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/QBpKCHaFUV

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2020

You certainly can't hate on Duvernay-Tardif's decision.  He's not sitting out of a violent sport that isn't great for your health for "health" concerns.  He's making a real difference.