Travis Kelce delivers powerful message to Clyde Edwards-Helaire amid Chiefs RB's personal struggles
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce showed support for teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who opened up about his long struggle with PTSD on Friday's episode of "The Pivot." Edwards-Helaire, who has been sidelined all season, first revealed his condition on Jul. 29.
The two-time Super Bowl champion’s story traces back to Dec. 22, 2018, in North Baton Rouge, where he was forced to use a firearm to defend his friend during an attempted robbery. The trauma of that incident appears to have affected him ever since.
On Friday, Kelce shared his support for Edwards-Helaire on X. He quote-tweeted a clip from the RB's interview.
"GBC!! My good brotha for life! Y'all gotta tune into this one. One of the strongest men I know!" Kelce tweeted.
Edwards-Helaire reflected on 2019, a pivotal year in both his football career at LSU and his personal life.
"On the football side, best year of my life. Life side? Probably the worst," he said.
Travis Kelce and Chiefs were a strong pillar in Clyde Edwards-Helaire's recovery journey
Beyond the championship celebrations they've shared, Travis Kelce has been a crucial support system through Edwards-Helaire's darkest moments.
"The way Travis and I would talk, bro, it was more heartfelt than anything," Edwards-Helaire said on the podcast.
The running back's battle with PTSD manifested in severe physical symptoms.
"I was sleeping probably three hours a night on average these last four years," he said, adding that he's been hospitalized numerous times.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the medical staff have worked closely with him throughout this period.
After nearly six years of internal battles, Edwards-Helaire appears to have found a new purpose in sharing his story.
"I feel like I'm actually saving lives by talking about my situation and showing that you can wake up every morning and get through it," he said.
The Chiefs picked Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. In four seasons at Kansas, he has rushed 441 times for 1,845 yards and 12 touchdowns.