LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
One Kansas City Chiefs player is being widely hailed a hero for shielding a young Chiefs fan during Wednesday’s mass shooting.

Among the chaos was 13-year-old Zack Cotten who found himself in a frightening situation. Zack and his father Chris Cotten attended the parade hoping to enjoy the festivities. However, the sound of gunshots sent people scrambling everywhere and Zack got separated from his father.

 

The teenage boy’s mother posted on Facebook, thanking Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for taking care of her son in the moments after gunshots rang out during the Chief’s Super Bowl Championship parade.

“Zach Cotten made it home safe,” Penny Hall Cotten said on social media. “Huge thank you to Clyde Edwards #25 for sheltering and getting my creep to safety. Clyde even went back to check on Zach to make sure he was still doing ok.”

The running back took the time to personally respond to the mother to further share his sympathy.

“Hey Mrs. Penny, Zach was brave for sure!!” Edward-Helaire said. “Sorry, the family and all of Chiefs Kingdom had to experience this. Just wanted to Thank Zach for trusting me and knowing I’ll protect him.”

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said the 22 people injured Wednesday ranged between 8 and 47 years old, with half under 16. A mother of two was killed.

Edwards-Helaire helped lead LSU to a national championship win in 2019 before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Edwards-Helaire is a two-time Super Bowl-winning running back after last Sunday’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs made Edwards-Helaire a first-round pick in 2020 and he was part of the team’s Super Bowl LVII run. Injuries and the emergence of Isiah Pacheco put him as a backup as he only had one carry during the Super Bowl.

In 2023, Edwards-Helaire has 223 yards and one touchdown on 70 carries, while adding 17 receptions for 188 yards and another score.