50 Facts About Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Early Life and High School Achievements

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's journey to the NFL began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His early life and high school career set the stage for his future success.

1. Early Life: Born on April 11, 1999, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Clyde Edwards-Helaire grew up in a supportive family environment.
2. High School Career: Attended Catholic High School, where he became the first freshman in head coach Dale Weiner's 29-year tenure to play on the varsity football team.
3. High School Achievements: As a senior, he rushed 58 times for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his talent early on.
4. State Championship MVP: Named MVP of the 5A State Championship Game after catching eight passes for 161 yards and rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Archbishop Rummel High School.

College Career at LSU

Edwards-Helaire's college career at LSU was nothing short of spectacular. His performance on the field earned him numerous accolades and set records.

5. College Commitment: Rated a four-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the LSU Tigers.
6. Junior Season: In 2019, he finished with 1,414 rushing yards and 453 receiving yards on 55 receptions, setting the LSU single-season record for receptions by a running back.
7. College Honors: Named LSU’s MVP and permanent team captain for the Tigers in 2019.
8. Paul Hornung Award Finalist: Recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Paul Hornung Award.
9. SEC Offensive Player of the Week: Earned this honor for his performance against Alabama in 2019.
10. LSU Single-Season Record: Holds the LSU single-season record for receptions by a running back with 55 receptions in 2019.
11. Career Rushing Yards: Ranks No. 15 in school history with 2,123 career rushing yards.
12. Impact on Team Success: Played a significant role in Joe Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy and LSU claiming the national title in January 2020.

NFL Draft and Professional Career

Transitioning to the NFL, Edwards-Helaire continued to impress, making a name for himself with the Kansas City Chiefs.

13. Draft Selection: Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, 32nd overall.
14. NFL Debut: Made his NFL debut against the Houston Texans on September 10, 2020.
15. Rookie Season: Finished his rookie season with 803 rushing yards and 297 receiving yards, totaling 1,100 scrimmage yards.
16. Super Bowl Champion: A two-time Super Bowl champion, having won Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs.
17. Injury-Plagued Season: The 2022 season was challenging due to injuries, but he remains optimistic about his career.
18. Contract Extension: In April 2023, he agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.
19. Fifth-Year Option: The Chiefs are not expected to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Personal Life and Challenges

Beyond the field, Edwards-Helaire has faced personal challenges and shown resilience.

20. Surname Origin: His surname honors both his biological father (Edwards) and his stepfather (Helaire), legally changed at age 14.
21. PTSD: Suffers from PTSD due to a fatal self-defense shooting incident in December 2018, openly discussing his struggles.
22. Heroism Award: Received a heroism award from the Uvalde Foundation for Kids after shielding a teenager from gunfire during the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII parade.
23. Family Support: His sister Madee has a form of Muscular dystrophy and appeared on the MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon.

College Statistics and Highlights

Edwards-Helaire's college statistics highlight his versatility and impact on the field.

24. Rushing Attempts: Recorded 26 rushing attempts against Auburn in 2019.
25. Rushing Yards: Achieved 188 rushing yards against Arkansas in 2019.
26. Rushing Touchdowns: Scored three rushing touchdowns twice, last against Arkansas in 2019.
27. Long Rush: His longest rush was an 89-yard touchdown against Arkansas in 2019.
28. Receptions: Made nine receptions at Alabama in 2019.
29. Receiving Yards: Gained 77 receiving yards at Alabama in 2019.
30. Receiving Touchdowns: Scored one receiving touchdown at Alabama in 2019.
31. Long Reception: His longest reception was 30 yards against Alabama in 2018.
32. Kick Returns: Recorded three kick returns three times, last against Northwestern State in 2019.
33. Kick Return Yards: Achieved 110 kick return yards against UCF in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.
34. Long Kick Return: His longest kick return was 77 yards against UCF in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

Professional Statistics and Performance

Edwards-Helaire's professional statistics reflect his contributions to the Kansas City Chiefs.

35. 2020 Season: Rushed 15 times for 71 yards and one touchdown, with three receptions for 23 yards in two games.
36. 2021 Season: Rushed 13 times for 96 yards, with two receptions for 13 yards in two games.
37. 2022 Season: Did not play due to injury.
38. 2023 Season: Rushed 11 times for 53 yards, with four receptions for seven yards in four games.
39. Career Scrimmage Yards: Finished the 2020 season with 1,100 scrimmage yards (803 rushing yards and 297 receiving yards).
40. Career Rushing Average: Maintains an average of 5.6 yards per rush throughout his career.
41. Career Receiving Average: Maintains an average of 4.8 yards per reception throughout his career.
42. Career Long Rush: His longest rush was 28 yards in the 2023 season.
43. Career Long Reception: His longest reception was 18 yards in the 2020 season.
44. Career Fumbles: Has one fumble lost throughout his career.
45. Career Games Played: Has played eight games in his NFL career, with two starts.

Fantasy Football and Trade Speculation

Edwards-Helaire's performance has also made him a notable figure in fantasy football and trade discussions.

46. Fantasy Football Rankings: Ranked among the top running backs in fantasy football rankings for the 2023 season.
47. Trade Deadline Speculation: Speculated to be one of the running backs who could be traded before the October 31 deadline in 2023.
48. Chiefs’ State of Affairs: Examined as part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster heading into the 2023 NFL season, including his role in the team’s offense.

Media Appearances and Community Involvement

Edwards-Helaire is not just known for his on-field performance but also for his media presence and community involvement.

49. Media Appearances: Frequently appears in media press conferences, discussing his career, injuries, and personal life.
50. Community Involvement: Actively involved in community events, including receiving a heroism award for shielding a teenager from gunfire during a shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII parade.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: A Remarkable Journey

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's journey from Baton Rouge to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days at Catholic High School to his standout performances at LSU, he's shown incredible talent and resilience. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, he quickly made an impact, contributing to two Super Bowl victories. Despite facing injuries, his determination remains unwavering. Off the field, he's a hero, shielding a teenager during a shooting. His story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and overcoming adversity. Whether breaking records or supporting his family, Clyde's journey is a compelling narrative of triumph and perseverance. His future in the NFL looks bright, and fans eagerly await his next chapter.