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Jerrell Freeman, Akiem Hicks returning to Regina as Chicago Bears

A historic NFL coach, and two familiar faces from the NFL's Chicago Bears are coming to Regina to reward the city's Youth Flag Football League.

Jen Welter, the first female coach in NFL history, to reward female players with coaching skills

CBC News ·
Left: Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman. (AP Photo/AJ Mast). Right: Former New England Patriots defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (AP Photo/George Bridges). Both are now with the Chicago Bears.

A historic NFL coach, and two familiar faces from the NFL's Chicago Bears are coming to Regina to reward the city's Youth Flag Football League.

In May, the NFL announced it is rewarding some of Canada's fastest-growing flag football communities with visits from NFL players this summer.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that former Saskatchewan Roughriders star Jerrell Freeman will be one of the Chicago Bears coming to the Queen City to work with the young athletes.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, left to right, looks on as Saskatchewan Roughriders Jerrell Freeman has his arm raised by fellow teammate Gene Makowsky and Marcus Adams and Chris Getzlaf look on at a Saskatchewan Roughrider Rally at City Hall in Regina, Sask. ( THE CANADIAN PRESS/Troy Fleece)

Freeman burst into stardom after the 2010 West Final game in Calgary when he broke through a sea of Stampeders to recover a fumble in his team's own end zone. It saved a touchdown and helped send the Riders to the Grey Cup.

The 30-year-old was also the CFL's runner-up for defensive player of the year in 2011. Freeman is entering his first season with the Bears after playing four seasons in Indianapolis.

The event will also be a homecoming of sorts for Chicago defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Akiem Hicks in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)

Hicks spent two seasons with the University of Regina Rams before being drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He also spent time with the New England Patriots. Like Freeman, the 26-year-old Hicks also signed with Chicago this offseason.

Chicago linebacker Lamarr Houston and offensive lineman Martin Wallace will also being coming to Regina.

Growing female league gets visit from historic coach

In this Aug. 22, 2015, file photo, Arizona Cardinals training camp coach Jen Welter watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

One of the main reasons Regina's Youth Flag Football League earned their reward from the NFL was by growing by more 1,000 players in the past three years. But it was the growth among female players that really turned heads.

In 2013, 72 girls registered for the league. Now, there are 348 players on 19 all-female teams.

Now, the hundreds of girls playing football in Regina will get to learn from Jen Welter, the first-ever female coach in NFL history.

Welter spent the 2015 preseason with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. The 38-year-old is expected to speak at a special "Girls in the Game" event on Friday, June 17. 

Welter, Freeman, Hicks and the other Chicago Bears will take to the University of Regina fields on Saturday, June 18.

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