NFL stars Akiem Hicks, Jerrell Freeman return 'home' for youth football

Two NFL players who got their start in Regina returned to the Queen City today to help young football players get their start on the gridiron.

The NFL-sponsored campaign Play 60 was held at the University of Regina this weekend. Hundreds of young athletes got to meet two Chicago Bears with links to Saskatchewan.

Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman spent three season with the Roughriders before making the leap to the NFL. Freeman said he regularly returns to the province.

"I'm always excited to come," he said. "This community, these fans, these people have always been great to me. That's why I come back every year."

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Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was also happy to return to Regina. Hicks spent two seasons with the University of Regina Rams before being selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

"It was home," Hicks said. "It was where I got an opportunity to continue playing football so l love it, man. I love it."

The Regina Youth Flag Football league has grown by more than 1,000 players in the past three years.

Much of the growth is due to more girls playing the game.