Duvernay-Tardif in May graduated from McGill Univ. in Montreal with a medical doctorateGETTY IMAGES
GoDaddy Canada announced Chiefs G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has "become a spokesman" for the company, according to Pat Hickey of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. GoDaddy Canada revealed that Duvernay-Tardif "relaxes by making wooden bowls," and with some guidance from woodturner Gilbert Besnard, he has been "producing bowls, which are available for sale through the GoDaddy-created website tourneurdesbois.ca." The proceeds from the "sale of the bowls go to Duvernay-Tardif’s foundation" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 6/27).
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: In K.C., Pete Grathoff cited a French-language report as saying that the NFL has told Duvernay-Tardif that he "can't have 'M.D' added to his jersey." Duvernay-Tardif in May graduated from McGill Univ. in Montreal with a "medical doctorate" (KANSASCITY.com, 6/26). BLEACHER REPORT's Mike Freeman writes he understands the league's decision, as if it "starts allowing players to put anything other than their name on jerseys, it could get out of hand." However, this "seems completely different and worthy of an exception." Freeman: "One of the NFL's players became a doctor. That's so extraordinary, it's worthy of celebration" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 6/27). In K.C., Sam Mellinger writes the NFL is "making a brain-dead, out-of-touch, wet blanket, self-important, counterproductive, off-putting, and indefensible decision" in not letting Duvernay-Tardif add "M.D." to the back of his jersey. Mellinger: "The league allows 'SR' and 'JR.' Why not 'MD?'" The "shame of it is that the league is missing the easiest opportunity imaginable to promote one of its players and education." Mellinger: "If Duvernay-Tardif was allowed to add 'MD,' how many kids watching would notice, wonder what that meant, and perhaps be drawn into medicine?" (KANSASCITY.com, 6/26). SI.com's Kalyn Kahler wrote the "marketing value alone makes 'Duvernay-Tardif, M.D.' a great idea for the league." Allowing him to "show off his status as the first active player to earn a medical degree would be unquestionably great P.R., especially in an offseason that involved fallout from the new anthem policy and another prominent player facing suspension for violating the personal conduct policy" (SI.com, 6/26).
