Sam Hurd Released from Prison

Former Bears and Cowboys receiver had been serving sentence for cocaine trafficking.

USA Today

Former Cowboys and Bears receiver Sam Hurd was released from prison after serving time for cocaine trafficking.

Hurd for about 10 years had been serving a 15-year sentence in a Bastrop, Texas penetentiary after being arrested by federal agents in December of 2011.

Hurd, who played in college at Northern Illinois University, was with the Bears part of the 2011 season after signing as a free agent for three years and $5 million. He caught eight passes in 12 games as a backup receiver for the Bears, after playing in Dallas from 2006-2010.

Agents arrested Hurd in Rosemont at the Morton's steakhouse parking lot after he agreed in the restaurant to buy five to 10 kilos of cocaine per week for $25,000 a kilo from an undercover agent. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying cocaine in a bag.

WLS-TV in Chicago had reported seven years ago Hurd asked for early release because he said he had been rehabilitated. The television station reported Hurd took business and typing classes in prison as well as classes on basic sports injuries and basketball officiating. That request was denied at the time.

He actually was released to community confinement Jan. 31 but has now officially been discharged from his sentence.

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