From the Gridiron to the Oven: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Acquires Iconic Montreal Bakery

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has spent his adult life mastering the art of the pivot. He transitioned from the high-impact trenches of the NFL to the sterile precision of a medical clinic, and now, he is pivoting once again toward a family legacy of artisanal baking. The Super Bowl champion and physician has officially acquired Arhoma, a celebrated Montreal bakery that has been a staple of the city’s culinary scene for 19 years.

The acquisition was not a solo venture. Duvernay-Tardif partnered with his business associate and agent, Sasha Ghavami, to take over the institution. For those familiar with the Montreal food landscape, the move is a strategic expansion rather than a random investment. Both men were already shareholders in the group Le Pain dans les Voiles, an artisanal venture that has deep roots in the athlete’s personal history.

For a global audience, the trajectory of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s career is nearly unprecedented in professional sports. It is rare to find a player who can discuss offensive line blocking schemes and medical diagnostics with equal authority; it is even rarer to find one who views a professional bakery as the next logical step in his career evolution.

A Family Legacy in Flour and Yeast

Whereas the Arhoma purchase makes headlines today, Duvernay-Tardif’s connection to the baking world is lifelong. Originally from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, he grew up immersed in the world of artisanal bread. His father founded Le Pain dans les Voiles in 2009, establishing a foundation of craftsmanship that would eventually mirror Laurent’s own approach to football and medicine.

In 2021, Duvernay-Tardif stepped back into the family business, taking the reins of the enterprise. His commitment to the craft has been absolute, focusing on promoting Quebec’s baking expertise. However, the path has not been without significant setbacks. In March 2025, a devastating fire tore through his pastry production plant, threatening the operational stability of the business.

That incident served as a litmus test for the resilience that defined his time in the NFL. Rather than retreating, Duvernay-Tardif used the recovery process to fuel further growth, leading directly to the acquisition of Arhoma. By merging the strengths of two artisanal giants, the new ownership aims to bolster the local supply of high-quality bread while maintaining the specific identity that made Arhoma a success over nearly two decades.

The Rare Duality: NFL Guard and Medical Doctor

To understand why a bakery acquisition is a fitting next chapter, one must look at the sheer discipline Duvernay-Tardif applied to his early career. While most NFL prospects focus exclusively on strength and conditioning, Duvernay-Tardif was balancing the rigors of the Kansas City Chiefs’ playbook with the demands of medical school at McGill University.

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft, he spent six seasons with the Chiefs, where he became a key part of the offensive line. The pinnacle of his athletic career came with the victory in Super Bowl LIV. Yet, even as he reached the summit of professional football, his academic pursuits remained a priority. He eventually graduated from medical school and later enrolled at Harvard University to earn a Master of Public Health.

This duality—the “athlete-physician”—became a symbol of intellectual and physical versatility. It was this same sense of duty that led him to create a high-profile decision in 2020. Amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 NFL season. He chose to return to Canada to work in a care facility, prioritizing public health over his professional football career during a global crisis.

That decision earned him widespread acclaim and several of Canada’s highest honors. In 2020, he was named a co-winner of the Lou Marsh Trophy and was recognized as the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. His contributions to society were further cemented when he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2019 and appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in December 2024.

Maintaining the Soul of Arhoma

For the regulars who frequent Arhoma’s branches, the change in ownership brings a potential fear of “corporate” sanitization. However, Duvernay-Tardif and Ghavami have been explicit about their intentions: the soul of the bakery will remain untouched.

The new owners have pledged that the existing locations, the creative spirit of the bakers, and the meticulous attention to detail—the hallmarks of Arhoma’s 19-year run—will stay the priority. This approach mirrors how Duvernay-Tardif handled his transition into the family business in 2021; he views himself as a steward of craftsmanship rather than just a commercial operator.

The marriage of Arhoma and the existing infrastructure of Le Pain dans les Voiles is expected to create a powerhouse of artisanal baking in Montreal, ensuring that traditional methods survive in an era of industrial mass production.

The Road to Retirement and Beyond

The transition into full-time entrepreneurship and medicine followed his formal departure from the gridiron. On September 21, 2023, Duvernay-Tardif announced his retirement from professional football. After a career that included six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and stints with the New York Jets in 2021 and 2022, the physical toll of the game and the pull of his other passions made the decision inevitable.

Retirement for most athletes involves a sluggish fade or a transition into broadcasting. For Duvernay-Tardif, it has been an acceleration. By integrating his medical knowledge, his business acumen, and his family’s baking heritage, he is building a diversified portfolio that serves the community of Montreal in ways a football career never could.

His journey from the 2014 NFL draft to the ownership of Arhoma serves as a blueprint for the modern professional athlete—one where the “after-career” is planned with as much rigor as the game plan for a Super Bowl.

Key Career Milestones: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

As he steps further into the world of Montreal commerce, Duvernay-Tardif continues to embody a rare blend of resilience and curiosity. Whether he is managing a medical practice, recovering from a factory fire, or ensuring the perfect crust on a baguette, he applies the same “all-in” mentality that once made him a formidable presence on the offensive line.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the business will be the integration of Arhoma’s creative operations with the wider Le Pain dans les Voiles group, as the new owners work to preserve the bakery’s legacy for another two decades.

Do you think more professional athletes should pursue diverse academic and entrepreneurial paths during their playing days? Let us know in the comments below.