Jerrell Freeman Announces NFL Retirement
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman has announced his retirement from the NFL. The 32 year old was released by the Bears in February after playing with the team since 2016.
Jerrell Freeman has had a controversial football career. He received a four game suspension in 2016 for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
In spite of this, he led the team with 127 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss that year.
Jerrell Freeman tore his pectoral muscle in the opening game of 2017 against the Atlanta Falcons. The following October, he received another ban for using performance-enhancing substances, this time for 10 games.
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Freeman originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2008. Although, he was waived before the season began.
He then went to the CFL to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for three years. He reignited his NFL career in 2012, playing four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Related: Steelers’ Ryan Shazier Placed on PUP List, Won’t Play in 2018.
Freeman announced his retirement from football on social media on Wednesday.
“I will be retiring from the NFL today,” he said. “My health and my family are my top priorities. I wanted to thank all the coaches and teammates I have played with over the years; you have impacted my life more than you’ll ever know!
“I want to thank all the amazing and passionate fans that I’ve been able to play in front of and interact with. I also want to thank the NFLPA, NFL and the CFL. I’ve been blessed to come from an undrafted free agent from UMHB (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor), to playing for some of the most amazing organizations.
“Thank you Bears, Colts, Roughriders, and yes even the Titans (where I only had enough time to grab a cup of coffee, haha) … you will always be like family. It’s been a long and rewarding journey, thank you to all that came along for the ride!!”
