The former Green Bay Packers player and Super Bowl winner, Antonio Freeman, shared his thoughts on his son, Alex Freeman’s, soccer journey. Freeman Jr. is currently living out his dreams in the FIFA World Cup as the youngest player on the USA team. 

During his Thursday appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show”, Freeman answered guest host Tom Pelissero when asked if his son's massive soccer success was making him rethink his own life decisions.

“Running around for 90 minutes and really not having a decisive game plan or win or how you’re actually going to get your hands and in this case your foot on the football. I don’t know, man. That’s a lot,” said Antonio. “My hats off to all the soccer players who just run for 90 minutes with the hopes of just scoring a goal.”

Antonio Freeman had a nine-year NFL journey from 1995 to 2004 as a wide receiver. He won Super Bowl XXXI with the Packers during the 1996 season, yet he openly admits that playing soccer is something his body simply could not handle.

Freeman Sr. was picked in the third round and the overall 90th pick by the Green Bay Packers during the 1995 NFL Draft. He spent eight years of his career with Green Bay. In the 132 NFL games he played, he registered 7,251 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns in 132 games.

Now, as his son, Alex, is playing on the biggest stage in the world, Freeman Sr. is excited, even while acknowledging how brutally demanding the sport is physically.

“It’s exciting to watch, though, especially when you have a son out there playing at the highest level,” shared Antonio on The Rich Eisen Show. “It’s an exciting game, and it’s global. I took a trip to Mexico and Spain, and I have my Freeman jersey on before the USA FIFA Cup roster was announced, and just the response I got out of the country was just amazing.”

That international excitement is well-earned, as the young midfielder is quickly becoming the talk of the tournament.

Antonio Freeman reflects on his son’s FIFA journey

Alex Freeman is the youngest player at 21 years old on the USMNT roster. His breakout moment came when he scored in the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia. 

“When he got the notification that it was a goal, just to see his very accomplished teammates…rally around him, and they’re so excited for the youngest kid on the team,” said Freeman about the camaraderie in the same interview. “That really made the hair on my arm stand up and know that my kid’s in a good place. 

Antonio added more on being identified as Alex Freeman’s father. He shared that it was easier during the initial four years to show up wearing a Freeman jersey and not be bothered by anyone. 

“He’s taken this burst to the scene in the last 18 months, and I’m kind of noticed more now because there’s a lot of footage now with the two of us on it,” said Freeman. 

Antonio Freeman concluded by saying that he’s happy where his son is in his soccer journey and that he's learning from genuinely great professionals in the sport.

What do you think about Alex Freeman's journey? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore