Words By Calvin Lai

Overflowing with top tier talent, the National Football League is primarily dominated by players from the United States. After all, football is a game that was built on American soil. It is a rarity to hear about Canadians playing in

the NFL but this past 2014 draft, four Canadians were selected to play in the league. It was a record setting day, and quite possibly, a sign of things to come.

Capping off the historical day for Canadians at the 2014 NFL draft was an offensive lineman drafted in the sixth round, 200th overall, to the Kansas City Chiefs. If you think a Canadian playing in the NFL is uncommon, just imagine the odds of a future doctor roughing it up on Sundays? As uncommon as it may seem, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is doing just that.

Becoming a doctor is no easy feat, especially while studying at McGill University, one of the top medical schools in the world. Duvernay-Tardif got in and is seemingly thriving, not just in his academics, but also on the field.

One of the fastest rising prospects prior to the 2014 NFL draft, he demonstrated his smarts as well as his assertiveness in his play. His size and athleticism caught the eyes of many talent evaluators from NFL teams and his pro day at McGill gave scouts a glimpse of his potential. His numbers in several drills rated at or near the top of the NFL offensive linemen rookie class, prompting seven NFL teams to fly Duvernay-Tardif in for an official pre-draft visit. He was further able to showcase his talent at the East-West Shrine Game, a viewing of seniors departing from U.S. colleges, looking to make the jump to professional sports. Duvernay-Tardif did not disappoint.

The 23-year-old is said to be an intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, his size is more than adequate, and with the numbers he produced at his pro day, the rare combo of mass and speed was on full display. Additionally, his commitment to the medical profession while playing football has showcased the work ethnic that is needed to succeed as an impact player.

Born in a suburb of Montréal, Québec, Duvernay-Tardif’s hometown of Mont-Saint-Hilaire was not exactly a hot spot for NFL talent. Furthermore, Duvernay-Tardif was a francophone who barely knew how to speak English when he arrived as a freshman at McGill. Football was never at the forefront of his mind and his first start in the game was at age 15 as a defensive lineman. Duvernay-Tardif continued to learn and progress at College Andre-Grasset in CEGEP, a post-secondary school where he saw little competition. It was not until the completion of his freshman year at McGill that he changed his position to offensive tackle, where he seemingly blossomed.

Countless awards were won for his play on the field including being named the most outstanding lineman in CIS football, as well as earning the Capital One Academic All-District honors, which recognizes the top student athletes for their performances athletically and academically.

Duvernay-Tardif aims to one day become a general sports doctor once he has finished his stint as a professional football player. If for some reason his NFL career does not workout, he can certainly find a job in the Canadian Football League. Ranked as the number one prospect for last year’s CFL draft, he would surely get some calls. Wherever his career may lead him, I’m sure he’ll do a hell of a job.