Former CFL Jerrell Freeman announces his retirement from football

Jerrell Freeman is calling it a career.

The former CFL linebacker announced his retirement Wednesday on Twitter following a career on both sides of the border.

“I want to thank all the coaches and teammates I have played with over the years,” Freeman tweeted. “You have impacted my life more than you’ll ever know.

“I also want to thank the NFLPA, NFL and the CFL. I’ve been blessed to come from an undrafted free agent from UMHB, to playing for some of the most amazing organizations. It’s been a long and rewarding journey, thank you to all that came along for the ride!!”

Freeman played collegiately for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

The 32-year-old was released by the Chicago Bears on Feb. 20. Last October Freeman received a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Freeman began his pro football career signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2008 as an undrafted free agent but was released prior to the start of the season. The native of Waco, Texas, then played three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2009-2011) and was a league all-star his final season after registering a league-high 105 tackles.

He then joined the Indianapolis Colts and played four seasons with them before signing a three-year, US$12-million deal with the Bears on March 12, 2016.