Former MLS player turned NYC ER doctor shared a heartfelt message to pro athletes

Marshall Leonard is an ER doctor in New York City who is working the front lines in a tremendous city that is getting hit really hard by the coronavirus pandemic right now.

He's also a former professional athlete who played as a defender for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer from 2002-2007.

On Wednesday night Leonard appeared on ESPN's "SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt" — which continues to be a great and thoughtful show during these tough times without sports — and shared a message to all the athletes out there who aren't playing games right now.

Leonard spoke about how missing sports is tough for the doctors and nurses, too, who used to unwind after long shifts by throwing on a game and forgetting about life for a while.

He delivered this message to pro athletes and others and it gave me chills:

He said: "Use this time — and I know it's completely awkward — use this time to keep yourself in whatever shape possible because when this is done, I'm telling you right now, we need you. We're doing our thing now but after this we're going to need you because we're going to want to watch those games at a high level."

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Leonard and all the health care workers are the real heroes out there and they are proving that once again during this very difficult time for the nation and the world.

Hopefully somewhere down the line things will go back to "normal" and they can take a seat on the couch and watch a game.

Follow For The Win's Andy Nesbitt on Twitter @anezbitt.