Sam Hurd released on bond, waived from Bears
By Michell EloySam Hurd released on bond, waived from Bears
By Michell EloyChicago Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd was released from federal prison on Friday after posting a $100,000 bond set earlier that day.
Hurd faces federal drug charges after he was arrested Wednesday for allegedly agreeing to buy a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover agent. Authorities said Hurd also told undercover agents he was interested in buying five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 lbs of marijuana per week with the intention of setting up a drug distribution network in Chicago.
As part of the release agreement, Judge Young Kim ordered the wide receiver to surrender his passport and any firearms, submit to drug testing and enroll in a substance abuse program.
Judge Kim also said Hurd, who appeared in court dressed in an orange jumper and with feet shackled, must remain employed — that stipulation coming minutes before Bears’ General Manager Jerry Angelo announced Hurd had been cut from the team.
“The one thing that we’ve done, when there’s been a wrong, we’ve acted,” said Angelo at a press conference on Friday. “Unfortunately, a situation arose that caught us off guard, but not to the point where we aren’t going to do the right thing. And the right thing is to cut Sam Hurd.”
Defense attorney Brett Greenfield said he didn’t know whether Hurd would look to play for another team, but said the football player denies rumors that he was selling drugs to others in the NFL.
“He 100 percent denies that allegation,” said Greenfield after the hearing. “It is patently and totally false.”
Greenfield told reporters Hurd plans to fight the charges
Hurd is scheduled to be tried in Texas, where the drug charges originated.