UPDATE: Ex-Cowboy Sam Hurd sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking
Former Cowboy Sam Hurd is pictured in a courtroom artist's sketch. He faces 10 years to life in prison for a drug trafficking charge. (Tom Gianni / Associated Press)
Update at 6:05 p.m.: A federal judge sentenced former Dallas Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking.
The sentence came after a lengthy sentencing hearing Wednesday in which Hurd and his attorneys argued he was only partially guilty of drug involvement.
Hurd admitted to buying and distributing marijuana but denied any trafficking of cocaine.
“I am very sorry. I am very remorseful for what I did,” Hurd said.
U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis could have sentenced Hurd to anywhere from 10 years to life in prison.
“It’s a tragedy,” Solis told Hurd before issuing the 15-year sentence. “You had everything going for you. You had no reason to get involved in this activity.”
Hurd hung his head when the sentence was issued, while his family and friends, who took up half the courtroom, cried out. They declined to comment afterward.
Original item posted at 11:49 a.m.: Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd will learn today whether he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison for participating in a large-scale drug trafficking ring while he was in the NFL.
Hurd played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2006 to 2010. (AP)
U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis will sentence Hurd today at 1:30 p.m. for conspiring to possess and distribute large amounts of cocaine and marijuana. Hurd, who pleaded guilty, faces from 10 years to life in prison.
Hurd played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2006 to 2010. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2011 but was cut that year amid his legal problems. Last month, his cousin was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for helping Hurd establish a cocaine distribution network.
If you haven’t heard yet, Sports Illustrated published this in-depth profile on Hurd, that details the winding narrative that eventually landed Hurd in federal custody. It’s worth a read if you have a good chunk of time. Plus, it’s got a catchy headline that references Breaking Bad.
Cell phones and other electronics aren’t allowed in federal court, but I’ll tweet the judge’s decision and any other news from the sentencing hearing ASAP afterward. You can follow along below: