Chiefs star Clyde Edwards-Helaire honored with heroism award after protecting a teen during deadly Kansas City shooting: 'What he did was truly exceptional'

Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has received an award for heroism after protecting a teen boy during the mass shooting at Kansas City's Super Bowl parade.

Edwards-Helaire 'sheltered' Zach Cotten, 13, during the tragedy and is now being honored with the Heroism Award from the The Uvalde Foundation for Kids.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local DJ and mother-of-two, was killed in the shooting earlier this month. More than 20 others were shot - including at least nine children.

Cotten survived the carnage and now the teen wants the running back recognized for helping him stay safe. 

'It was really special because Clyde helped me. He's a really good person. Everyone should see how good of a person he is,' the teen said.

Chiefs star Clyde Edwards-Helaire has recieved an award for heroism over the mass shooting

The Kansas City running back helped 13-year-old Zach Cotten (pictured) during the tragedy

The boy's father Chris Cotten, who became separated from his son after the gunfire started, paid tribute to Edwards-Helaire's for his 'truly exceptional' actions during the tragedy.

'You can be an athlete only for so long, but you can be a great human being for the rest of your life. What he did was truly exceptional and he's a great man,' he said.

'We're certainly appreciative as a family what he did for Zach. There were 23 other families impacted in a negative way by this event. Their families are never going to be the same. Our ending turned out great and we're very thankful for that.'

Edwards-Helaire's heroics came to light after Zach's mother took to social media to credit the Chiefs running back for ensuring he 'made it home safe'. 

Edwards-Helaire responded to a Facebook post from Zach's mother, thanking the teen

'Huge thank you to Clyde Edwards #25 for sheltering and getting my child to safety. Clyde even went back to check on Zach to make sure he was still doing OK,' Penny Hall Cotten said.

The Kansas City star paid tribute to the child's bravery during the mass shooting.

'Hey Mrs. Penny, Zach was brave for sure!! Sorry the family and all of ChiefsKingdom had to experience this,' he wrote on Facebook. '(I) just wanted to thank Zach for trusting me and knowing I'll protect him.'

Two men, Lyndell Mays and Dominic Miller, have been charged with second-degree murder over the shooting which, according to authorities, began following a dispute.