Cowboys Ex Sam Hurd Released From Prison

Sam Hurd played five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys as a wide receiver and special teams ace prior to his 2011 arrest on federal cocaine trafficking charges.

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd has been released from federal prison after serving nearly a decade in incarceration for cocaine trafficking charges. 

Per the San Antonio Express News, the 37-year-old was placed in community confinement in San Antonio on Jan. 31. 

Hurd was arrested in Chicago for attempting to purchase and distribute large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in December 2011. The San Antonio native was arrested for a second time in August 2012 for violating his bond by failing two drug tests.

On Nov. 13, 2013, Hurd was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis. He was remanded to the Federal Correctional Institution in Bastrop, Texas, where he remained for the duration of his sentence. 

Hurd began his NFL career by signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May 2006. His first NFL reception came on a 33-yard completion from quarterback Tony Romo against the Houston Texans on Oct. 15. Ironically, it was also Romo’s first pass completion as a pro quarterback. Hurd finished his five-year tenure with the Cowboys having compiled 630 yards on 45 catches and two touchdowns.

Despite flashing some prowess as a pass-catcher, Hurd’s primary contributions came mainly as a key performer on special teams. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2006 as a rookie. In 2009, Hurd led the Cowboys with 19 special teams tackles and was named special teams captain in 2010, finishing the season with 21 tackles.

Hurd signed a three-year, $5 million contract with the Chicago Bears as a free agent in 2011. He played 12 games for Chicago before his arrest.

With his sentence set to formally conclude on May 30, Hurd will undoubtedly look to put his nefarious past behind him. 

“Unlike some inmates after release from prison, Sam, in the future, will follow the right path and be a positive part of society, Hurd’s attorney, Jay Ethington, told ABC Chicago. “Sam was one of the very good guys that was drawn into the trap of illicit drugs. The Federal Judge that reluctantly imposed the severe sentence, was confident that when Sam returned home he’d be law-abiding and successful. Sam is a smart and caring person. Keep the criminals away from tricking him, and he’ll be just fine.”

Under Federal Bureau of Prisons policy, community confinement can mean completing one’s sentence either in a halfway house or through home confinement.

At this time, it is unclear where Hurd will spend the remainder of his sentence. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL

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