Travis Kelce has been credited by Kansas City Chiefs teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire with helping him cope with PTSD, stemming from a traumatic incident in 2018 when an 18-year-old was shot and killed during an alleged robbery attempt.
The incident took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in December 2018, while Edwards-Helaire and his then LSU teammate Jared Small were trying to sell an electronic item.
Kobe Johnson, the teenager who was killed, left a profound impact on Edwards-Helaire, though police have never disclosed who fired the fatal shot. The emotional repercussions of that day continue to affect Edwards-Helaire, who has recently missed practice time due to PTSD.
In a candid discussion this week, Edwards-Helaire opened up about how Kelce has been a significant support system during Kansas City’s practice camp for the upcoming NFL season. He shared that Kelce, along with teammate Kadarius Toney, has been vigilant in monitoring his mental well-being.
“It’s really just mentally not being there,” Edwards-Helaire said. “And it’s one of those things where early on, like guys who kind of pay attention, Trav (Travis Kelce), Kadarius (Toney) at times, they can even – they’ll know ahead of time (that I’m struggling). Like, ‘Okay, Clyde might not – he’s not laughing, he’s not giggling, he’s not himself.'”
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Kelce and Toney have emphasized the importance of checking in on Edwards-Helaire as a person, not just as a player who brings energy and humor to the locker room.
Edwards-Helaire recounted that the traumatic event on December 22, 2018, marked the beginning of his troubles. “I would say that’s probably where a majority of things stem from but I wouldn’t necessarily say everything stemmed from that,” the 25-year-old explained. He added that losing best friends to gun violence has also contributed to his struggles.
“My first couple of years, you just try to block everything out and it’s like, ‘Oh, at some point I’m going to get over it.’ And you start to realize that that just doesn’t happen. You get older and you realize, ‘Hey, no matter the age, no matter the person, no matter the situation, everyone needs help at some point.'”
Edwards-Helaire acknowledged the difficulty in talking about PTSD, noting that he never knows how his body or mind will react. “I feel like talking is a big thing, but it is just getting over that hump personally, being able to know that honestly, just everybody goes through things good and bad. It’s a stepping stone. I’m just 25 years old and trying to live the rest of my life healthy.”
He described the physical manifestations of his mental health struggles, including severe dehydration and weight loss. “Sometimes I am admitted into the hospital and I can’t stop throwing up. Nothing can stop it. Real bad dehydration, dropping weight real fast but real mentally, not being there.”
Edwards-Helaire also tweeted about dealing with PTSD, writing, “Living With PTSD is no small feat, it’s hard and very overwhelming. Within the last month I’ve had many flare-ups and the amazing staff here at the #Chiefs have been helping me get through some tough times. I’ll be back rolling next practice! All Love, Glydro.”
The Chiefs are set to start the next NFL season on September 5 against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Edwards-Helaire and his team are aiming for an historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory. With the support of teammates like Kelce, Edwards-Helaire continues to work through his challenges, both on and off the field.
