Travis Kelce has been acknowledged by Kansas City Chiefs teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire for his support in coping with PTSD, following a tragic incident where an 18-year-old was fatally shot while allegedly attempting to rob him.
The event took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in December 2018, when Edwards-Helaire and his then LSU teammate Jared Small were involved in trying to sell an electronic device.
The deceased teenager was Kobe Johnson, and the authorities have not disclosed who discharged the weapon that caused his death. The aftermath of that day continues to affect Edwards-Helaire, who has recently taken time away from practice due to PTSD.
In a recent discussion, Edwards-Helaire revealed how Kelce has been particularly attentive to his well-being during the Chiefs’ training camp for the upcoming NFL season.
‘It’s primarily a mental struggle. Early on, my teammates, especially Trav (Travis Kelce) and Kadarius (Toney), were attuned to my state. They could tell if something was off, like, ‘Okay, Clyde seems off – he’s not laughing or being himself.’
Travis Kelce has been helping Clyde Edwards-Helaire through dealing with PTSD
Edwards-Helaire spoke of Kelce’s influence while bravely opening up about his ordeal
He mentioned that Kelce and Toney remarked: ‘We need to ensure we’re checking in on him as a person, not just expecting him to be the one bringing energy and laughter, or the guy keeping the locker room lively.’
Edwards-Helaire recounted that the troubling events began on December 22, 2018.
‘That incident has certainly been a major source of my struggles, though it’s not the sole origin of everything,’ the 25-year-old explained.
‘I have lost close friends to gun violence at young ages, and just knowing that people in my life could easily find themselves in similar precarious situations is tough.’
‘In my early years, I tried to suppress my feelings, telling myself, ‘I’ll get over this eventually.’ But it doesn’t quite work that way.
‘As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that everyone faces challenges, and it takes strength to acknowledge that. Dealing with PTSD and sharing it with others isn’t a topic I always feel comfortable discussing.’
‘I often struggle with how my body and mind will respond, and it’s hard to predict my reactions.
‘I believe in the importance of conversation, but overcoming that personal barrier is crucial. Understanding that everyone goes through tough times is a part of my journey. At 25, I’m just focused on maintaining my health and well-being.
‘There have been times I’ve had to go to the hospital, battling severe vomiting. I can’t control it, and it leads to extreme dehydration and rapid weight loss, all the while feeling mentally absent.’
Kelce and Edwards-Helaire pictured together at Chiefs practice earlier in the week
Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs are aiming for an historic Super Bowl ‘three-peat’ next season
Earlier this week, Edwards-Helaire tweeted about his experiences with PTSD, sharing: ‘Living with PTSD is challenging, exhausting, and overwhelming.
‘In the past month, I’ve experienced several flare-ups, but the fantastic team at the #Chiefs has been instrumental in helping me navigate these tough moments.
‘I’ll be back and ready for the next practice! All love, Glydro.’
The Chiefs kick off the upcoming NFL season on September 5, when they face the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Edwards-Helaire and his teammates are setting their sights on making history with a third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
