Any career as a professional athlete is fleeting. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has in him the deep desire to use the platform that his has given him to have a significant impact on young people. “I hope that in 10, 15, 20 years, I will not be defined as just a football player. I would like that, accomplish more. »
Accompanied by his parents, the Quebec footballer and doctor was back where it all began, Saturday evening: between the walls of the Saint-Hilaire college, in Mont-Saint-Hilaire. The educational institution held a cocktail reception to formalize the nomination of the Duvernay-Tardif gymnasium.
Laurent, the eldest of the family, was the only member of the siblings present at this evening bringing together members of staff, former students, parents of students and representatives of businesses in the region. The 32-year-old athlete had a sincere smile during his speech.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jean-François Guay, director of Saint-Hilaire college, with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
“Being a professional athlete is very fleeting, but the impact you can have with the platform that professional sport gives you goes way beyond your sport,” he noted. Well, that’s what I want to do. Being here today is an honor, but it’s also the start of that process. »
Among the messages that Duvernay-Tardif wishes to convey: make sport “as accessible as possible” and “stop pushing young people to be the best”.
This is also the heart of the message of his foundation, which organizes turnkey events encouraging a balance between sports, arts and studies.
” [Au Québec], I find that we are very into competition and performance. I know it’s a bit paradoxical with my career as a professional athlete,” LDT continued in front of an attentive audience.
Don’t “push too hard”
“What is true and beautiful in sport is what happens at this level: in elementary school, in secondary school. Some people hang up at school. We have to remember that every time we push young people too hard, we encourage performance at all costs, we also create dropouts. There are academic dropouts, but there are also athletic dropouts. »
This mentality, LDT inherited it from his parents, Guylaine Duvernay and François Tardif, “who [l’]led us to try different things, to be curious”. Both were present for the occasion and moved to see the names of their children prominently displayed on the wall of the gymnasium.
“I think they deserve it, that they are good ambassadors, said the mother to The Press. These are atypical paths, but which led them to what they really wanted to do. »
“We have always said, Guylaine and I, that accompanying a child in his growth is accompanying him, not telling him: you absolutely have to go there, added Mr. Tardif. [Il ne s’agit] not to push him too much, but to accompany him in his projects and his tastes. That’s what we tried to do. »
A gathering place
It has been five years since the idea of naming the gymnasium in honor of the family germinated within the walls of the college. ” [Les élèves] will happen [dans le gymnase] and see their names daily, explained the director, Jean-François Guay. The inspirations you have from them and those from your neighbour, it’s different. […] As a trio, they touch on enough subjects and areas that it will inspire thousands of young people in the coming years. »
Remember that Delphine, the youngest of the family at 26, is a cross-country ski specialist and works in the health field in Gaspésie. As for the youngest, Marilou, she is part of the national rowing team and is studying kinesiology at the University of Montreal. Both could not be present on Saturday.
By paying tribute to the five members of the family, the college wishes to offer its students a “daily reminder that anything is possible when passion, energy and humility are combined on a daily basis”, noted Mr. Guay in his speech. .
What future in the NFL?
Like last year, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif finds himself without a contract in the NFL.
“If the phone rings in October, it’s hard to say no, but at the same time, right now, it’s important to focus on the projects I have in front of me,” explained the guard. That’s the beauty of my journey over the past few years. »
“It’s that there is always this separation between football and medicine, but it seems that the balance is slowly leaning more towards medicine and I think that’s good too. It prepares for post-career. »
The athlete nevertheless continues to train. “I want to reduce the chances of injury. If I put my shoulder pads back on, it’ll be on a playing field. »
” That’s exciting ”
PHOTO SETH WENIG, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers
When asked about the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers by the New York Jets, Duvernay-Tardif smiled broadly. ” Yeah ! “, he exclaimed before adding: “This is exciting for any football player, any guard, any offensive line blocker. I think it’s going to be a great year for the Jets this year, at least I hope so. I think they have a great culture, which is changing. »