Defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs will be missing the services Laurent Duvernay-Tardif this coming 2020 NFL season. The 29-year-old is opting out of this season since he wants to continue being in the frontline to help his community battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

With that said, champion head coach Andy Reid showed his all-out support with his guard's decision.

“[Doctors are] givers, they're not takers, they're givers and they're healers. They want the best for you. Larry has that quality. And you're seeing it to the utmost, here,” explained the Chiefs head coach, per NFL.com “I just think it's tremendous dedication to his profession, what his future's gonna be and mainly to the people that he gets to help. My heart goes out to him. I had a great talk with him, great visit with him. His players support him. The veteran players support him, the coaches support him. I'm so happy and proud.”

Earlier this week, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif announced his decision to sit out the 2020 season via Twitter.  For what it's worth, he is the only active NFL player with a medical degree and is the first player to choose the league's Opt Out Option for the upcoming season.

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Duvernay-Tardif has been working in a long-term care facility in his hometown in Quebec, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients” the Chiefs' six-year guard said.

The Chiefs will surely miss the presence of their Canadian mainstay in their offensive line as they try to defend their Super Bowl crown. Hopefully, the signing of two-time Pro Bowler Kelechi Osmele will help Reid and the team .