Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the former Kansas City Chiefs running back and Super Bowl champion, has made an emotional return to the team, re-signing as a member of their practice squad late in the 2024 season, according to multiple reports. This marks a significant chapter in the journey of the 2020 first-round draft pick, whose career has been as much about personal resilience as it has been about athletic achievement.
Edwards-Helaire’s return to Kansas City comes after a tumultuous period marked by professional transitions and a deeply personal battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 26-year-old, who last started a game in 2023, has been open about his mental health struggles, which have at times sidelined him from the game he loves. In September 2024, the Chiefs placed him on the non-football injury list, causing him to miss multiple games as he focused on addressing his mental health. Later that year, in December, Edwards-Helaire was released by the Chiefs and briefly joined the New Orleans Saints, where he played in two games, accumulating 13 carries for 46 yards.
The running back’s challenges with PTSD have been a recurring theme in his career. In September 2024, Edwards-Helaire shared candid insights into his condition, describing severe physical symptoms triggered by his mental state. “Sometimes I’m admitted into the hospital, something I can’t stop throwing up and it’s just, I [don’t] know [anything] pretty much to stop it,” he said. “Real bad dehydration … but it’s really just mentally just not being there.” His openness extended to social media, where he posted on X in September 2024: “Living With PTSD is no small feat, its hard and very overwhelming [sic]. 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!”
Edwards-Helaire’s struggles with PTSD trace back to a specific incident on December 22, 2018, during his time at LSU. While he has not shared extensive details, he described the event as a “self-defense situation” involving himself and a friend. Reports from the Associated Press indicate that Edwards-Helaire and a teammate were attempting to sell an electronic item when they were confronted by an 18-year-old attempting to rob them, resulting in one of the players shooting the assailant. Though police did not officially identify the players involved, Edwards-Helaire’s reference to the date aligns with this incident, which has left a lasting impact on his mental health.
Despite these challenges, Edwards-Helaire’s return to the Chiefs signifies a powerful moment of perseverance. His re-signing with the team that drafted him reflects not only his determination to continue his NFL career but also the support he has received from the Chiefs organization and its fans, known as Chiefs Kingdom. When he was released in December 2024, Edwards-Helaire expressed his gratitude on X, writing, “Love ya KC! A family I didn’t know I needed, y’all made a kid from Baton Rouge dreams come true! To Chiefs Kingdom, it’s all love and the support I had in troubling times will forever be unmatched from you guys! With love!”
Now back with the Chiefs, Edwards-Helaire faces a dual challenge: proving himself on the field as a practice squad member while continuing to manage his PTSD. His journey is a testament to the strength required to navigate mental health challenges in the high-pressure world of professional sports. As he steps back onto the practice field, Edwards-Helaire carries with him the weight of his past and the hope of a brighter future, both for himself and for others who draw inspiration from his openness and resilience.