Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Haley is using his platform to spread awareness about his own mental health struggles.
The 25-year-old opened up to X for the first time about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Living with PTSD is not easy. It’s very hard and very overwhelming,” he wrote on Monday. “I’ve had multiple flare-ups over the past month but the amazing staff here have helped me.” #Chiefs It helped me get through some tough times. I’ll try my best again at the next practice! Love, Gridlo.”
Speaking with media in Kansas City on Thursday, Edwards-Haley spoke further about her struggles that are unrelated to athletics.
Edwards-Haley said “much” of his reaction is rooted in the November 2018 robbery that he and Louisiana State University teammate Jared Hall foiled, but also stems from his Louisiana upbringing.
“I have close friends who died young from gun violence and not being in the right place at the right time, and I just know there are people close to me and around me who may be in a similar situation to me,” Edwards-Helaire said. According to ESPN.
Edwards-Haley was a star player in Baton Rouge and was a major driving force behind the Tigers’ perfect 15-0 season in 2019, racking up 1,867 scrimmage yards and 17 total touchdowns.
Nonetheless, Edwards-Haley, the 32nd overall pick in 2020, accomplished those feats and transitioned to the professional ranks despite lingering PTSD and physical symptoms.
“Sometimes I end up in the hospital because I can’t stop feeling nauseous, [don’t] know [anything] “We did it to stop that,” Edwards-Helaire said.
The 5-foot-7 runner also said his teammates notice him acting differently than usual.
“It’s really, really dehydration … but mentally he just isn’t there,” Edwards-Helaire said. “That’s one of those issues that happens with guys who are being careful early on like Travis is. [Kelce] Kadarius [Toney]Sometimes they can tell in advance: ‘Okay, Clyde’s not laughing, he’s not giggling, he’s not his usual self.'”
Edwards-Haley started his rookie season well with 1,100 scrimmage yards and five total scores, but his role has been reduced with the emergence of rising star Isaiah Pacheco.
Over the past three years, Edwards-Haley has recorded just 1,510 total scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns and has never had more than 517 rushing yards in a season.
Heading into the 2024 season, “CEH” will be playing for the two-time defending champions on a one-year, $1.7 million contract, but the running back hopes that speaking up will help reduce prejudice against others.
“For the first few years, you just block it all out and think, ‘I’ll get over this,'” Edwards-Helaire says. “Then you start to realize that’s not going to happen. As you get older, you realize, ‘Everyone needs help at some point, no matter their age, who they are or what their situation is.’ It takes courage to talk about PTSD, and once people bring it up, I’m not always the one who wants to talk about it.”
