Chiefs Chiefs' Laurent Duvernay-Tardif manages balance between football, med school

**BossChief** · 08-17-2015, 07:53 PM

From ESPN...

Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The balance between being a pro football player and a medical student can’t be easy to manage, as Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has learned since being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs last year. There aren’t enough hours in the day during those times he’s dragged into both worlds at once.

Duvernay-Tardif has balanced things well enough, though. He remains on track to be an M.D. at this time next year.

Proof arrived in his football world Monday when the Chiefs, in their search for the right combination of players for their offensive line, put Duvernay-Tardif in the starting lineup at right guard.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has moved into the role of starting right guard and figures to be there at least through Friday's game against the Seahawks. Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs
The move isn’t necessarily permanent. But Duvernay-Tardif likely will stay in the lineup at least through Friday night’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium.

If he stays as a starter when the regular season begins, that would be validation for the Chiefs, who saw Duvernay-Tardif’s football ability and were willing to work around his medical school commitments, despite the fact he played in college at Canada’s McGill University.

It would also be a validation for Duvernay-Tardif; proof that he can live in two very demanding worlds. Training camp is the one time of year, he said, when it’s all about football for him.

“Nothing but football, for sure,’’ he said after Monday’s practice session. “During the season last year, on the day off, it’s always good to put yourself in the library and read three hours or so about medical stuff. That helps me stay focused on football because it gives me a break. It also helps me a lot when I’m going back to medical school during the offseason to stay on top of things. There are things you can forget quickly if you don’t stay on top of them."

Duvernay-Tardif returned to McGill for classes at the end of the Chiefs’ season last year. His academic term was ongoing when the Chiefs began their offseason workouts, so he stayed in Canada while his teammates started their conditioning sessions in April.

But he arrived in time for the first offseason practice a month later and did so in shape. Working with a personal trainer he hired in Montreal, Duvernay-Tardif used a workout plan the Chiefs provided for him.

“I gained 15 pounds and I still have the same body fat,’’ said Duvernay-Tardif, who indicated he was up to about 320 pounds. “I think that proves I’m working hard. I think the coaches trust me on that. They know I’ve been being in med school and playing football at the same time for five years. Now I have the chance to play football 100 percent eight months of the year and study at med school for the rest of the time. It’s helped me focus more on both."

Sometimes, though, he needs to choose between the demands of med school and those of football. During those times, he said, it’s never much of a conflict.

“When I’m back in med school, I think of myself as a medical student who plays football,’’ he said. “When I play football, I think of myself as a football player who studies medicine. I try to make the switch as soon as I arrive in Kansas City off the plane. I switch myself to football mode. When I’m in school, I’m a student-athlete who works hard in the gym but knows he has to take exams like everybody else.’’

**BossChief** · 08-17-2015, 07:53 PM

Very excited to hear this kid is running with the 1s.

**DaFace** · 08-17-2015, 07:55 PM

Thanks for posting a thread.

Since I'm being all opinionated today, I'll mention I think it's important to at least give a link to the original article. If we don't help people pay the bills, the content will eventually go away (or we'll at least get a really nasty letter from a lawyer someday).

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...uvernay-tardif

Mother****erJones · 08-17-2015, 07:55 PM

What I'm loving is we're developing these lesser known talents. Nice to see.

**DaFace** · 08-17-2015, 07:56 PM

As for LDT himself, I've had high hopes for the guy ever since we drafted him. There's something cool about a guy with major brains and major talent who just needs the chance to learn the game at a high level.

I hope he can turn out to be a diamond in the rough for us.

Prison Bitch · 08-17-2015, 07:59 PM

I thought he was killed in a NATO bombing raid?

**BossChief** · 08-17-2015, 08:04 PM

Milkman and I have almost always seen eye to eye on the OL this team has had (except in regards to Barry Richardson) and he just raves about this kid. I still haven't seen the PS game, but it seems LDT did very well and was impressive.

Hopefully he can continue to develop.

Mother****erJones · 08-17-2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Thanks for posting a thread.

Since I'm being all opinionated today, I'll mention I think it's important to at least give a link to the original article. If we don't help people pay the bills, the content will eventually go away (or we'll at least get a really nasty letter from a lawyer someday).

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...uvernay-tardif

I've always wondered if that happened.

mcaj22 · 08-17-2015, 08:42 PM

people are high on him because every option "ahead" of him at guard or tackle is a huge pile of turds and won't be on this team next season anyway. The dude is basically the future at one position with zero competition.

**DaFace** · 08-17-2015, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

I've always wondered if that happened.

Never has to my knowledge, but I figure it's best to at least make sure the original source is quoted so that there's a conduit to their content. Even ignoring whatever legal argument there may be one way or the other, it's just the non-douchey thing to do.

**Rain Man** · 08-17-2015, 08:44 PM

It would be cool to have a doctor on the field. The anatomical trash talking would be stupendous, and he could diagnose injuries mid-play.

Mother****erJones · 08-17-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Never has to my knowledge, but I figure it's best to at least make sure the original source is quoted so that there's a conduit to their content. Even ignoring whatever legal argument there may be one way or the other, it's just the non-douchey thing to do.

I agree. I'm used to getting bitched at if I don't post a link so I'm in the habit of always posting one when necessary.

**Rain Man** · 08-17-2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

I've always wondered if that happened.

There are copyright trolls out there who put up unwatermarked pictures and then demand a ludicrous sums of money if someone uses them. Trunk Archive is probably the worst of them.

Mother****erJones · 08-17-2015, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It would be cool to have a doctor on the field. The anatomical trash talking would be stupendous, and he could diagnose injuries mid-play.

"Ima put you on your gluteus maximus son!" Lol

milkman · 08-17-2015, 09:04 PM

That he is getting first team reps and startiing in the Seahawk game suggests that my observation that he was the best lineman in the Cardinal game is on the money.

Now, the question is, is he ready to play against another team's best?

The Cardinal game tells me that, while not ideal, Fulton is capable of getting the job done.

But if LDT shows as well against the Seahawks, we could be looking at a real upgrade.

LDT was just impressive Saturday.

08-17-2015, 07:53 PM
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1514088	Chiefs' Laurent Duvernay-Tardif manages balance between football, med school From ESPN... Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer 64 Shares Email Print Comment ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The balance between being a pro football player and a medical student can’t be easy to manage, as Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has learned since being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs last year. There aren’t enough hours in the day during those times he’s dragged into both worlds at once. Duvernay-Tardif has balanced things well enough, though. He remains on track to be an M.D. at this time next year. Proof arrived in his football world Monday when the Chiefs, in their search for the right combination of players for their offensive line, put Duvernay-Tardif in the starting lineup at right guard. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has moved into the role of starting right guard and figures to be there at least through Friday's game against the Seahawks. Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs The move isn’t necessarily permanent. But Duvernay-Tardif likely will stay in the lineup at least through Friday night’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. If he stays as a starter when the regular season begins, that would be validation for the Chiefs, who saw Duvernay-Tardif’s football ability and were willing to work around his medical school commitments, despite the fact he played in college at Canada’s McGill University. It would also be a validation for Duvernay-Tardif; proof that he can live in two very demanding worlds. Training camp is the one time of year, he said, when it’s all about football for him. “Nothing but football, for sure,’’ he said after Monday’s practice session. “During the season last year, on the day off, it’s always good to put yourself in the library and read three hours or so about medical stuff. That helps me stay focused on football because it gives me a break. It also helps me a lot when I’m going back to medical school during the offseason to stay on top of things. There are things you can forget quickly if you don’t stay on top of them." Duvernay-Tardif returned to McGill for classes at the end of the Chiefs’ season last year. His academic term was ongoing when the Chiefs began their offseason workouts, so he stayed in Canada while his teammates started their conditioning sessions in April. But he arrived in time for the first offseason practice a month later and did so in shape. Working with a personal trainer he hired in Montreal, Duvernay-Tardif used a workout plan the Chiefs provided for him. “I gained 15 pounds and I still have the same body fat,’’ said Duvernay-Tardif, who indicated he was up to about 320 pounds. “I think that proves I’m working hard. I think the coaches trust me on that. They know I’ve been being in med school and playing football at the same time for five years. Now I have the chance to play football 100 percent eight months of the year and study at med school for the rest of the time. It’s helped me focus more on both." Sometimes, though, he needs to choose between the demands of med school and those of football. During those times, he said, it’s never much of a conflict. “When I’m back in med school, I think of myself as a medical student who plays football,’’ he said. “When I play football, I think of myself as a football player who studies medicine. I try to make the switch as soon as I arrive in Kansas City off the plane. I switch myself to football mode. When I’m in school, I’m a student-athlete who works hard in the gym but knows he has to take exams like everybody else.’’
Posts: 47,178

08-17-2015, 07:53 PM	#2
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1514088	Very excited to hear this kid is running with the 1s. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,178

08-17-2015, 07:55 PM	#3
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1646899	Thanks for posting a thread. Since I'm being all opinionated today, I'll mention I think it's important to at least give a link to the original article. If we don't help people pay the bills, the content will eventually go away (or we'll at least get a really nasty letter from a lawyer someday). http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...uvernay-tardif
Posts: 51,991

08-17-2015, 07:56 PM	#5
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1646899	As for LDT himself, I've had high hopes for the guy ever since we drafted him. There's something cool about a guy with major brains and major talent who just needs the chance to learn the game at a high level. I hope he can turn out to be a diamond in the rough for us.
Posts: 51,991

08-17-2015, 07:59 PM	#6
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	I thought he was killed in a NATO bombing raid?
Posts: 87,025

08-17-2015, 08:04 PM	#7
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1514088	Milkman and I have almost always seen eye to eye on the OL this team has had (except in regards to Barry Richardson) and he just raves about this kid. I still haven't seen the PS game, but it seems LDT did very well and was impressive. Hopefully he can continue to develop. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,178

08-17-2015, 08:42 PM	#9
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	people are high on him because every option "ahead" of him at guard or tackle is a huge pile of turds and won't be on this team next season anyway. The dude is basically the future at one position with zero competition.
Posts: 11,886

08-17-2015, 08:44 PM	#11
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2938491 VARSITY	It would be cool to have a doctor on the field. The anatomical trash talking would be stupendous, and he could diagnose injuries mid-play. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,773

08-17-2015, 09:04 PM	#15
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	That he is getting first team reps and startiing in the Seahawk game suggests that my observation that he was the best lineman in the Cardinal game is on the money. Now, the question is, is he ready to play against another team's best? The Cardinal game tells me that, while not ideal, Fulton is capable of getting the job done. But if LDT shows as well against the Seahawks, we could be looking at a real upgrade. LDT was just impressive Saturday. __________________
Posts: 70,769