Sports
Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire to miss start of 2024 season as he deals with PTSD
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will miss the first four games of 2024 as the team placed him on the non-football illness list to start the regular season.
Edwards-Helaire, who is in his fifth NFL season, had 223 rushing yards in 15 games in 2023.
However, the former LSU standout has been battling PTSD. He opened up about his battle with the disorder last month, saying it began in December 2018 over what he described as a “self-defense situation.” It’s caused him to miss time at training camp.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, #25, warms up against the Chicago Bears prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Aug. 22, 2024. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
Edwards-Helaire said the disorder has caused him to vomit or not be in his profession mentally.
However, he points to that incident nearly six years ago as the cause. He and another LSU teammate reportedly tried to sell an electronic item when one of them shot and killed an 18-year-old man trying to rob them.
The Associated Press reported that Edwards-Helaire was involved in the incident. Prosecutors cleared Edwards-Helaire 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.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, #25, runs the ball against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs, #39, during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Dec. 25, 2023. (Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)
“I have best friends that passed away at young ages from gun violence and just not being in the right places at the right time and just knowing that I have people that are close to me or around me who … could be in the same spots that I am.”
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy touched on Edwards-Helaire on Monday, according to Chiefs Wire.
“It’s for me; how I look at it is just from the personal side. We all have different things that we go through and Clyde is such a special person,” Nagy said. “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. So that’s number one, and then the other stuff all takes care of itself.”
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, #25, carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, #10, and Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, #21, defend in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Jan. 28, 2024. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
The Chiefs start their title defense on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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