Bears LB Jerrell Freeman announces retirement Published: May 02, 2018 at 11:13 AM Herbie Teope Free-agent inside linebacker officially called it a career after six seasons in the NFL. Freeman, who the released in February, announced his retirement Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, citing his "health and family" as top priorities. Robbie Grossman Jersey The 6-foot, 235-pound Freeman entered the league in 2008 as an undrafted free agent out of Mary Haydin-Baylor with the but was released before the start of the regular season. Freeman then signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL where he spent three seasons (2009-11). Andrew Triggs Jersey The under then-general manager Ryan Grigson gave Freeman his shot at the NFL after signing the linebacker to a contract in January 2012. Freeman became the first player from Mary Haydin-Baylor to play in an NFL game and burst onto the scene during his first NFL regular season, totaling 145 tackles (90 solo), two sacks, an interception, two pa ses defensed and a forced fumble. After four seasons with the (2012-15), on Bruce Maxwell Jersey a three-year, $12 million deal. Freeman enjoyed succe s in his first 12 games in a uniform, tallying 110 tackles (86 solo). But Freeman was suspended the final four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 2017 season didn't produce a comeback tour for the Joe Morgan Jersey linebacker. Freeman landed on injured reserve with a concu sion and pectoral injury suffered in the regular-season opener against the . In October, he was suspended 10 games for another violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. For his NFL career, the 32-year-old Freeman appeared in 70 games -- all starts -- and totaled 598 tackles (390 solo), 12 sacks, four interceptions, 20 pa ses defensed and eight forced fumbles. Thank you, and I love you all!! Jerrell Freeman (@JerrellFreeman) This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links Chris Bassitt Jersey . Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.