Travis Kelce has expressed immense support and admiration for his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the running back continues to cope with PTSD stemming from a traumatic experience in his past.
On November 8, Edwards-Helaire appeared on “The Pivot Podcast” with hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder, where he opened up about a 2018 shooting incident that has had a lasting impact on his personal life. During the episode, Edwards-Helaire shared details of the event and the toll it took on him mentally and physically.
After the episode’s release, Kelce, 35, took to social media to share his support for the 25-year-old running back. Kelce posted a clip from the podcast, writing, “GBC!! My good brotha for life! Y’all gotta tune into this one. One of the strongest men I know!”
The incident Edwards-Helaire spoke of occurred on December 22, 2018, while he was playing college football for the LSU Tigers. He and his best friend had gone to North Baton Rouge to sell a PlayStation console in what they believed would be a routine exchange. However, the situation quickly turned dangerous.
Edwards-Helaire recalled having a bad feeling that morning but decided to accompany his friend for the transaction regardless. As they arrived, things took a terrifying turn. “The next thing I see is a gun towards Jared’s head,” Edwards-Helaire said. “My only reaction was, you know, either I’m about to watch my best friend lose his life or do something about it.”
Carrying a firearm himself, Edwards-Helaire chose to take action to protect his friend. According to a report from the Associated Press, both Edwards-Helaire and his friend were ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing by authorities, as they had acted in self-defense. The confrontation resulted in a death, a harrowing outcome that has since haunted the running back.
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“I hope nobody ever has to go through the situation that I’ve been through,” Edwards-Helaire said on the podcast. He went on to describe how the incident profoundly affected him, sharing that in the years following, he struggled with sleep and frequently experienced extreme stress. “I was only sleeping about three hours every night, and I was constantly vomiting,” he said. The weight of the experience led to multiple hospitalizations for PTSD.
Despite the challenges he faced, Edwards-Helaire found solace in football. “The only time that I would feel myself was when I was putting on a helmet,” he explained. The game became his escape, a brief reprieve from the trauma that he was battling off the field.
During the podcast, the hosts asked if any of his NFL teammates knew about what he was dealing with. Edwards-Helaire spoke about the unwavering support he received from Travis Kelce. “The amount of time that I was spending with Travis was unreal,” he shared. “I really look at him as a big brother, and I needed somebody to lean on.” The two-time Super Bowl champion noted that Kelce was there for him, especially during his first year in the NFL.
Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Edwards-Helaire faced the pressure of adjusting to professional football while still grappling with his personal struggles.
Kelce made it a point to reach out and check in on him regularly, helping him navigate the challenges of being a young player in the NFL while coping with trauma. “Our conversations were more heartfelt than anything,” Edwards-Helaire said. He added that Kelce often called him “GBC—Good Brother Clyde,” emphasizing the strong bond they had formed.
Edwards-Helaire also spoke about the support he received from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Coach Reid, known for his care and compassion toward his players, encouraged Edwards-Helaire to prioritize his mental health and take time off when necessary.
Reid’s understanding approach provided Edwards-Helaire with the space he needed to focus on his healing journey.
Now, four years after the traumatic incident, Edwards-Helaire feels like he is finally turning a corner. “I’m doing a lot better than I have been these past four years,” he said on the podcast. “Mentally, physically, everything is just on the up and up. I’d say I’m probably the healthiest I’ve been since I came into the league.”
Travis Kelce’s support for Edwards-Helaire is a testament to the power of camaraderie and brotherhood in the NFL. It shows how teammates can be there for each other not only on the field but in life’s most difficult moments.
Edwards-Helaire’s courage in sharing his story serves as an inspiration to others who may be struggling, and his determination to persevere is a reflection of his strength and resilience.
