FOOTBALL Canadian adds Super Bowl to accomplishments
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The clock showed less than a minute and a half remaining in Super Bowl LIV and, with the Kansas City Chiefs holding a four-point lead, “everybody in the stadium knows we’re running it,” said right guard Laurent DuvernayTardif.
All the Chiefs needed was a first down. That would do it. That would clinch victory.
But Damien Williams had higher ambitions. He was set on providing his friends, family, teammates and supporters of the Chiefs a reflection point for the best non-baby birth memory of their life.
He was determined to insert the exclamation mark that would immediately knock big, grown men to the ground.
“I saw Damien starting to run, untouched, and I was like, ‘oh my God’ .. my knee gave out,” Duvernay-Tardif told Postmedia in the jubilant Chiefs locker room of the emotional wave that hit him when Williams scored a 38yard touchdown a few minutes before 10 p.m. on Sunday. “I just went on the ground and yelled as loud as I could: ‘This is it! This is it!’
“At that point I was like, we’re world champions.”
The 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Hard
Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida marked the third time the Chiefs had to erase at least a 10-point deficit this post-season. No, their 50-year championship drought did not end easily.
“It’s crazy, you know,” said Duvernay-Tardif. “I feel like 10 minutes ago we were down 10 points. And next thing you know, we’re driving down the field, and we score three touchdown in a two-minute situation, no huddle. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Also good reason to beat his chest: According to NFL Canada, Duvernay-Tardif became just the ninth Canadian-born player, and only fourth nonkicker or punter born in Canada, to win the Super Bowl. He is in a very elite group. But he’ll better cherish such accomplishments when he’s old and grey. On this night, he felt more like just a plain old champion rather than a Canadian champion.
“I don’t know what the numbers are, but I think for everybody that played football, it’s a pretty small special feeling, whether you’re Canadian or not,” said the 28-year-old, who was born in Mont-SaintHilaire, Que, grew up in Montreal and went to school at McGill University, where he graduated with a degree in medicine. “I feel like it’s a privilege, it’s really an honour, actually to win this as a team. For Kansas City, but also for people back home who have supported me throughout my career.”
Still, if it was hockey, Duvernay-Tardif would have a day to flaunt the Stanley Cup in his hometown. But the Lombardi Trophy doesn’t do such tours.
That’s okay with Doctor “Larry”, as he is known among the Chiefs.
“I won it,” he said, beaming. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll get a pretty cool ring to bring back home.”
Duvernay-Tardif did receive a lot of congratulatory messages from his homeland after the game. His phone was blowing up – not that he could tell you what they said at that moment.
“I’m trying to look at my phone but you won’t let me,” he said with a laugh to the only Canadian reporter in the winner’s room.
His fellow offensive linemen and coaches also kept Duvernay-Tardif busy, either with hugs or continuous attempts to get group pictures snapped.
Later, he did take the opportunity to convey how special it was to assist Chiefs coach Andy Reid win the first Super Bowl of his career.
“I’m thankful for him,” said Duvernay-Tardi. “I know it means the world to him. I’m proud to say I helped him win it. He’s the architect and for me personally it’s just a privilege that he trusts me, and he gave me an opportunity coming from north of the border, playing Canadian ball and believing in my plan with medical school.
“I’m really thankful for an amazing human being who led the team to be world champions.”
As he always does, Duvernay-Tardif also used the opportunity to convey messages of gratitude he has for his loved ones, his parents, his girlfriend, and Sasha Ghavami, who doubles as his best friend an agent.
And, of course, Patrick Mahomes.
He wasn’t asked, nor was hie offered, but it’s safe to say Duvernay-Tardif would have also checked off the Mahomes as MVP box if he was given an opportunity.
The comeback, as it as in the divisional round and conference championship, was made possible by the poise of the second-year quarterback.
“He was calm, which is crazy,” said Duvernay-Tarid.