Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman ‘making tackles and saving lives'

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When linebacker Jerrell Freeman and defensive end Akiem Hicks jointly met the media as the Bears reported to training camp Wednesday, there were moments when the two interacted as if they were a budding comedy team. But the deadly serious topic of Freeman using the Heimlich Maneuver to possibly save the life of a man choking on food Sunday at the Austin, Texas airport came up, and how he feels about the incident days later.

"It's kind of settling in," Freeman said. "At the time it was just something that needed to be done. It was pretty simple, ya know? Like one plus one. Somebody was in need, and I was there. If I wasn't there, I'm sure somebody else would've done it. Or I would hope.

"I guess it's settled in. I did help a guy out. We've been able to talk back and forth. He's still thanking me. I just let him know, hey, anybody would've done it, hopefully. It's humanity, man, is what it is."

Added Hicks:

"He's making tackles and saving lives."

Freeman was en route back to Chicago when Texas attorney Marcus Ryan, a father of three, began choking at an airport restaurant. Freeman came to the rescue after an older woman unsuccessfully tried performing the Heimlich herself.

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