A recent post by Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on X revealed the former first-round pick’s ongoing issues with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.
During Thursday’s post-practice press conference, the veteran running back opened up about his condition and explained his recent absences from practices by describing a traumatic scenario he experienced in December of 2018 that still affects him today.
“My first couple of years, [I would] 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,” said Edwards-Helaire. “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.’
“It takes courage to talk about it, and having PTSD and dealing with it once people bring it up is not something that I’d always want to talk about. I never really know how my body will react or my mind, it is just something that I can’t pinpoint or know exactly what’s going to happen.”
Living With PTSD is no small feat, its hard and very overwhelming . Within the last month Ive 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 ❤️💛— GLYDE (@Clydro_22) July 29, 2024
Edwards-Helaire would go on to tell reporters about some of the symptoms of the disorder that were affecting him, which sometimes necessitated his hospitalization.
“Sometimes I’m admitted into the hospital, [for] something like I can’t stop throwing up,” Edwards-Helaire told the media.
The former LSU standout thanked the Chiefs’ medical, health, and wellness staff members for their support. He also named a few teammates who have helped him cope with his condition and shown understanding during his darkest moments.
“It is one of those things where early on guys who kind of pay attention like Travis [Kelce] and Kadarius [Toney], at times they can even [tell], they’ll know ahead of time like, ‘Ok, Clyde’s not laughing, he’s not giggling, he’s not himself.'”
With Kelce, Toney, and the rest of the Chiefs’ organization at his side, Edwards-Helaire is uniquely positioned to continue shedding light on the struggles of people with PTSD and other mental health issues.