Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins running back Rob Kelley (32) and Chicago Bears inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and defensive end C.J. Wilson (69) during the game at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman is a hero after saving a man from choking on his food at a restaurant airport.
Freeman was enjoying his meal inside an Austin, Texas, airport Sunday before reporting to training camp later this week.
At a table nearby at the Salt Lick Taco Bar, Freeman told the Chicago Tribune that he noticed a man who appeared to be in distress. The man, Marcus Ryan, stood up quickly with a look of grave concern across his face.
“Like he had forgotten something and was about to go running for it,” Freeman told the newspaper. “But then he went around the table and started to look a little frantic. I’m thinking, ‘Man, this is odd. Maybe one of his kids walked off and he can’t find his kid or something?'”
Freeman said an older woman unsuccessfully tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Ryan.
The 6-foot, 236-pound linebacker then jumped into action.
“I grabbed him and tried to squeeze the life out of him,” Freeman said of using the life-saving maneuver. “You’ve got to push in and up. So I did that and he started throwing up what he was choking on. I asked him if he was all right and he shook his head like ‘No!’
“I grabbed him again and hit him again with it (Heimlich). And when I put him down the second time, his eyes got big. He was like, ‘Oh, my god! I think you just saved my life, man!’ It was crazy.”
After Ryan regained his composure, the pair posed for a photo, which Freeman tweeted and wrote: “CRAZY!! Just saved my guy Marcus Ryan’s life by using the Heimlich maneuver in the middle of the Austin airport! WOW Mom would be proud haha.”
Freeman played four seasons for the Indianapolis Colts before signing a three-year $12 million contract with the Bears in 2016. He led the Bears with 110 tackles last season despite being suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
“I’ve never done the Heimlich before,” Freeman told the Tribune. “I don’t think I’ve had any training or anything. My mom’s a nurse, and she had talked about it. So I just did what I heard you should do. I guess it worked.
“A real good story, man. I was trying to save all my energy for training camp. And here I had to go rush up on this guy like I’m about ready to make a tackle. Whatever it takes.”
