> At a Glance
> – Clyde Edwards-Helaire reassured Taylor Swift that Travis Kelce was safe after the February 2024 Chiefs parade shooting
> – Swift later sent her private jet so Kelce could attend Edwards-Helaire’s June 2024 wedding
> – The running back credits Kelce with helping him through mental-health struggles tied to a 2018 PTSD event
> – Why it matters: The story highlights the tight-knit bond inside the Chiefs locker room and how players support each other-and their families-through public crises and private battles.
When bullets disrupted the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade in February 2024, Taylor Swift was halfway around the world on her Eras Tour. Awakened in Australia by security, she couldn’t reach Travis Kelce, who was ill and unreachable. Clyde Edwards-Helaire stepped in, telling Swift that her boyfriend was okay amid the chaos that left one dead and 22 injured.
A Phone Call That Mattered
Edwards-Helaire recounted the moment to the Kansas City Star:
> Clyde Edwards-Helaire said:
> “She couldn’t get in touch with Trav. I picked up and let her know he was safe.”
Four months later, Swift returned the favor. When Edwards-Helaire married in June 2024, she dispatched her private jet-Kelce aboard-from Europe so the tight end wouldn’t miss the celebration.
> Edwards-Helaire recalled telling Kelce:
> “Bro, you don’t have to.”
> Kelce replied:
> “Nah, Taylor’s already sending me. It’s good.”
Big-Brother Bond
The pair’s friendship began in 2020 when Kelce took the rookie under his wing. Edwards-Helaire, 26, says Kelce notices when PTSD symptoms surface from a 2018 self-defense shooting, quietly checking in when teammates see he’s “not laughing, not himself.”
| Event | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Parade shooting | Feb 2024 | Edwards-Helaire calms Swift |
| Wedding | June 2024 | Swift sends jet for Kelce |
| Training camp | July 2024 | RB praises Kelce’s mentorship |
Key Takeaways
- Edwards-Helaire’s quick thinking reassured Swift during a global news crisis.
- Swift’s wedding-jet gesture showed appreciation for the Chiefs’ brotherhood.
- Kelce’s off-field leadership helps teammates manage mental-health challenges.
As Kelce weighs a 14th NFL season, Edwards-Helaire calls the tight end his “big brother,” crediting him with shaping both his team persona and personal resilience.
