Jerrell Freeman

Jerrell Freeman
refer to caption
Freeman with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2010
No. 50
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1986-05-01) May 1, 1986 (age 38)
Waco, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:236 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Waco (TX) University
College:Mary Hardin-Baylor
Undrafted:2008
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:597
Sacks:12.0
Interceptions:4
Forced fumbles:8
Fumble recoveries:3
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career CFL statistics
Total tackles:144
Sacks:13
Interceptions:3
Stats at CFL.ca (archived)

Jerrell Alexander Freeman[1] (born May 1, 1986) is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans of the NFL in 2008. He then played three seasons in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he led the league in tackles in 2011. In 2012, he signed with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, and also later played for the Chicago Bears.

College career

Freeman played four seasons of collegiate football for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders under Pete Fredenburg.[2][3] He was twice named a D3football.com All-American, including being honored as the 2007 D3Football.com Defensive Player of the Year.[4] When he left, he was the school's all-time leading tackler.[5] As a senior, he had 59 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and six quarterback sacks.[citation needed]

Professional career

Tennessee Titans

Although Freeman was not selected in the 2008 NFL draft he was signed by the Tennessee Titans immediately following the conclusion of the draft.[6] He became the first Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusader to reach the NFL.[7] Freeman was released by the Titans prior to the start of the 2008 NFL season.[8]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

In March 2009, Freeman signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.[9] In the 2009 CFL season, Freeman was used primarily as a special teams tackler, recording a team high 25 special teams tackles. He was nominated as the team's Most Outstanding Rookie. In his second season with the Riders, Freeman saw more time as a regular linebacker. He made the starting lineup for one game in the regular season and started in two playoff games and the Grey Cup.[10] Jerrell Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in week 7 after recording three sacks against the BC Lions.[11] He led the team in sacks by the end of the season with seven.

The 2011 season was a breakout year for Freeman. Freeman lead the CFL in tackles with 106.[12] Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week in week 10 and earned CFL Defensive Player of the Month for the month of September.[13]

Indianapolis Colts

In January 2012, Freeman signed with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.[14] In Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, Freeman returned a Jay Cutler interception for a touchdown in the first quarter.[15] Freeman had an outstanding first season with the Colts finishing with 145 tackles (90 solo and 55 assisted) and two sacks.[16] His 145 tackles was the fifth highest total in the league.[17] Freeman won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance in a 23–7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on December 22, 2013. He finished the game with seven tackles, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble, one interception, and three passes defended.[18] He was also initially credited with two interceptions, but one was later adjusted to a strip/sack for teammate Robert Mathis and a fumble recovery for Freeman.[19] In the 2013 season, he had 5.5 sacks, 126 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[20] In 2014, he recorded 95 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 12 games played.[21] On March 5, 2015, the Colts made a qualifying offer to Freeman,[22] which he signed on April 27.[23] In Week 17 of the 2015 season, Freeman had a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 30–24 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[24] In the 2015 season, he finished with three sacks, 112 total tackles, one interception, two passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 13 games and starts.[25]

Chicago Bears

On March 12, 2016, Freeman signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Chicago Bears.[26] He was suspended four games on November 21, 2016, for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.[27] In the 2016 season, he appeared in 12 games and finished with 110 total tackles (86 solo) and five passes defended.[28]

On September 12, 2017, Freeman was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a pectoral injury and a concussion in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.[29]

On October 30, the Chicago Bears announced that Freeman had been suspended for 10 games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy for a second time.[30] Freeman apologized for the suspension, adding that his playing career might be in jeopardy due to a head injury and memory loss.[30]

On May 2, 2018, Freeman announced his retirement from the NFL.[31] He was suspended an additional two years by the NFL on May 11, 2018, after failing a third drug test.[32]

Career stats

Regular season

Season Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF
2012 Indianapolis Colts 16 16 145 90 55 2.0 – 2 1 4 4.0 4T 1 1
2013 Indianapolis Colts 16 16 126 83 43 5.5 – 6 2 13 6.5 13 0 6
2014 Indianapolis Colts 12 12 95 58 37 1.5 – 6 – – – – – 1
2015 Indianapolis Colts 13 13 112 66 46 3.0 – 2 1 23 23.0 23T 1 0
2016 Chicago Bears 12 12 110 86 24 0.0 – 4 – – – – – –
2017 Chicago Bears 1 1 10 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 70 70 598 390 208 12.0 0 20 4 40 10.0 23 2 8

Postseason

Season Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF
2012 Indianapolis Colts 1 1 4 3 1 – – – – – – – – –
2013 Indianapolis Colts 2 1 18 10 8 – – 1 – – – – – –
2014 Indianapolis Colts 2 2 22 10 12 1.5 – – – – – – – 1
Total 5 4 44 23 21 1.5 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1

References

  1. ^ "Jerrell Freeman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mary Hardin-Baylor Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "Football Recognizes Jerrell Freeman". University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. April 29, 2016. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "2007 D3football.com All-America team". d3football.com. December 15, 2007. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Brooke, Tyler (December 12, 2012). "Jerrell Freeman: a Closer Look at the Colts' Surprising Linebacker". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "Titans agree to terms with 10 undrafted free agents". Tennessee Titans. April 27, 2008. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "The Waco Kid". Colts.com. September 4, 2012. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Morris, Jimmy (August 30, 2008). "Tennessee Titans Cut Roydell Williams, Biren Ealy". Music City Miracles. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "Football's Freeman signs with Saskatchewan Roughriders - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Athletics". University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Athletics. July 21, 2009. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "Freeman Returns To Playoffs". Colts.com. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "Freeman Wins Weekly Award". DiscoverMooseJaw. August 18, 2010. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "CFL Stats - 2011". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "Freeman named CFL Defensive Player of the Month". Riderville.com. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "Football alum Freeman signs with Indianapolis Colts". University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Athletics. January 18, 2012. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Wright, Michael C. (September 9, 2012). "Halftime: Bears 24, Colts 14". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Jerrell Freeman 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "2012 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  18. ^ "2013 NFL Week 16 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Chappell, Mike (December 24, 2013). "Colts Jerrell Freeman loses interception but wins weekly NFL defensive honor". The Star Press. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Jerrell Freeman 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jerrell Freeman 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Wilson, Josh (March 5, 2015). "Colts Make Qualifying Offer to Jerrell Freeman, Tender Boom Herron, Daniel Adongo, and Cam Johnson". Stampede Blue. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  23. ^ "Indianapolis Colts restricted free agent ILB-Jerrell Freeman signs qualifying offer". Colts.com. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  24. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts - January 3rd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  25. ^ "Jerrell Freeman 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Wesseling, Chris (March 12, 2016). "Jerrell Freeman signs three-year deal with Bears". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  27. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 21, 2016). "Freeman suspended for PED violation". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Jerrell Freeman 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Greenberg, Daniel (September 12, 2017). "Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman joins receiver Kevin White on injured reserve". Da Windy City. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  30. ^ a b Finley, Patrick (October 30, 2017). "Bears ILB Jerrell Freeman suspended 10 games for PED use". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  31. ^ Teope, Herbie (May 2, 2018). "Bears LB Jerrell Freeman announces retirement". NFL.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  32. ^ Finley, Patrick (May 15, 2018). "Former Bears LB Jerrell Freeman was facing 2-year suspension when he retired". The Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.