By Eryn Costello – Junior Copy Editor

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Bishop’s community flooded the seats of Centennial Theatre to hear Laurent Duvernay-Tardif speak as part of the Donald Lecture Series. 

Multiple fans of the Quebecois football star could be seen proudly sporting his Kansas City Chiefs jersey. Attendance was high on this Wednesday evening as students, faculty and community members eagerly waited to hear from the only active NFL player to earn a medical degree. 

Often referred to as the “most interesting man in the NFL,” Duvernay-Tardif is a nine-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl champion, and doctor. After his 2019 victory, the Quebecois icon decided to take a step back from football to join the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Duvernay-Tardif focused on how skills inherited from sports can shape careers and approaches to life, using humour and heartfelt personal anecdotes in an inspiring lecture.

An overarching theme of Duvernay-Tardif’s talk was the transferability of skills between different aspects of our lives. In his case, he discussed how his time on the football field helped in understanding the importance of passion, confidence and how to conquer adversity, skills that helped him navigate the intricate challenges of medical school and working as a doctor. 

Despite his fame, Duvernay-Tardif’s journey to success was not without setbacks. He recalled how very few NFL teams had faith in him, questioning his commitment to football because of his pursuit of a medical degree at McGill University (all the while learning English). However, coach Andy Reid of the Chiefs saw this intense passion as a strong suit, and, ultimately, he landed a spot in Kansas City. 

During his talk, Duvernay-Tardif related just how important teamwork is, both on the field and in the hospital. He recalled early days in NFL locker rooms, being surrounded by players from different financial backgrounds, religions, languages, and experiences. Duvernay-Tardif explained how such differences instilled in him the importance of unity and understanding. Challenges like self-doubt and media pressure often work against NFL teams, which only furthers the importance of brotherhood.

Along a similar vein, Duvernay-Tardif highlighted the importance of leadership. He kept coming back to head coach Andy Reid. “I really look up to coach Reid”, he told the crowd. He recalled how the coach was “always the first person in the building, and the last to leave”. Everyone should have a coach Reid in their lives, he added. When Duvernay-Tardif expressed his intention to take a break from football to fight COVID-19, Reid supported his decision, telling the Quebecois offensive lineman that he was proud of him.

One of the most poignant points of the lecture was Duvernay-Tardif’s reflections on the “ultimate transition” year of 2020. Though it was a scary time for all medical personnel, Duvernay-Tardif told the audience that he was no stranger to stressful situations. He advised that instead of becoming numb, we should harness these strong emotions and use them to propel us forward; a skill strengthened by high-pressure experiences on the football field. 

To wrap up this Donald Lecture, Duvernay-Tardif took several questions from the audience, the first few individuals being thrown a signed football. During the Q&A, he was asked about time management. His advice? “Just do it”, “grind”. He told the students that we can always work harder and strive for better. To the surprise of many, the former NFL star advised that students “party hard” and not miss out on the social element of the university experience. He recommended that students “make time [for] social stuff”, even if it’s only for an hour. Duvernay-Tardif embodied this philosophy himself by occasionally studying in bars. One audience member asked who Duvernay-Tardif’s “all-time” favourite teammate was. To the delight of many Swifties in the room, he answered that it was Travis Kelce, his former O-line teammate in Kansas City. He described him as an “energy-giver” and very “humble”. 

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s talk was a powerful reminder that resilience, teamwork, and the courage to pursue multiple passions can lead to truly impactful lives. His story continues to inspire those who aim to blend ambition, purpose, and service to others.