Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will miss the first four games of the 2024 season as he battles PTSD stemming from a self-defense incident in 2018.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is facing a challenging battle against PTSD, which has forced him to miss the first four games of the 2024 season.
Edwards-Helaire, who has played five seasons in the NFL, had a successful 2023 campaign with 223 rushing yards in 15 games. However, he has been candid about his struggles with PTSD, which began in December 2018 after a self-defense situation.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD: A Battle Against Past Trauma
The disorder has significantly impacted Edwards-Helaire's mental health, causing him to experience episodes of vomiting and mental disorientation. He has traced the root of his PTSD to a specific incident that occurred nearly six years ago while he was a student at LSU.
According to reports, Edwards-Helaire and another LSU teammate were attempting to sell an electronic item when they were approached by an 18-year-old man who tried to rob them. Edwards-Helaire and his teammate shot and killed the individual during the incident.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD: A Battle Against Past Trauma
Edwards-Helaire was reportedly involved in the incident, but prosecutors cleared him and his friend, Jared Small. Officials did not name the shooter.
"I would say that's probably where a majority of things stem from," Edwards-Helaire said, via ESPN. "I wouldn't necessarily say everything stemmed from that."
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD: A Battle Against Past Trauma
Edwards-Helaire has also pointed to the tragic deaths of close friends from gun violence and being present in dangerous situations as contributing factors to his PTSD.
The Chiefs' offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, expressed his concern for Edwards-Helaire's well-being. "How I look at it is just from the personal side. We all have different things that we go through," Nagy said. "Clyde is such a special person. He's a great human being."
"I think, number one, everybody in this building wants to make sure that Clyde is good on that side and that he's happy and enjoying everything that he does, because when he's in the building, he's phenomenal," Nagy added.
Despite his challenges, Edwards-Helaire remains determined to overcome his PTSD. The Chiefs have placed him on the non-football illness list to provide him with the necessary support and time to heal.
The team starts their title defense on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Edwards-Helaire's return to the field will depend on his progress in managing his PTSD and regaining his mental and physical well-being.
