SAM HURD DISAPPOINTS HOME TOWN FANS

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — Roy Williams found it difficult to digest the news regarding close friend and fellow Bears receiver Sam Hurd, who was arrested Wednesday night and subsequently charged with one count of conspiring to possess half a kilogram of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Williams always has had the utmost respect for Hurd, also his teammate for two-plus seasons with the Cowboys.

“This is just very shocking to me,” Williams said Thursday. “And I’m kind of pissed off at him, too, because it’s a really selfish act. He has let us down in the wide receiver group, in which we were so close. He let down the wide receivers coach, the head coach, the Bears’ organization and the city. But that’s my boy, too.”

Hurd, who played in college at Northern Illinois, entered the NFL in 2006 as undrafted free agent with the Cowboys. He spent five seasons with them before signing a three-year deal with the Bears in the offseason. His contract, which included a $1.35 million signing bonus, had a base value of $4.15 million, making his off-the-field decisions that much more curious.

Coach Lovie Smith said the team became aware of Hurd’s arrest after the receiver failed to show up for team meetings Thursday morning. Smith contended the Bears completed a comprehensive background check before signing Hurd back in July.

“I don’t think there’s anything criminal out there with him that anyone would know,” Smith said. “But just like I think I know most of you, you really don’t know what people do once you’re not with them. I know that anyone we bring through here, we’ve had an extensive search to find out everything, if there’s something out there, and that wasn’t the case. There was nothing we knew about Sam.”

Asked whether the 26-year-old Hurd was still on the roster, Smith responded, “Yes, he’s still a member of the Bears. Of course no one has really had a chance to talk to Sam right now. But he is still a part (of the team).”

“He’s a good teammate,” linebacker Brian Urlacher said of Hurd. “He comes to work every day and works hard. Outside of here, I don’t know him very well. But he comes to work every day and practices hard and plays hard. That’s all I know of him. He’s a friendly guy.”As details of Hurd’s arrest circulated Thursday at Halas Hall, players shook their heads in disbelief. This was far from the picture they painted of Hurd based in his daily interaction with them. He often smiled and would sing spiritual music while walking around the locker room.

Hurd, a native of San Antonio, was a three-sport star at Brackenridge High School, also lettering in basketball and track. He finished his NIU career second in school history in receiving yards (2,322) and third in touchdown receptions (21).

In five seasons with the Cowboys, Hurd caught 45 passes for 630 yards and two touchdowns. Hurd, who caught eight passes for 109 yards in 12 games this season, was signed primarily to be a special teams contributor.

Smith said Hurd’s arrest won’t affect the team’s focus. Linebacker Lance Briggs was asked about the Bears having to deal with another distraction.

“We’re grown men,” Briggs said. “You don’t go through a football season without distractions. Distractions are expected. This is a game where we’re professionals and you have to approach it that way. There’s a sport side, there’s a business side and then there’s a personal side. And, when it comes to business as a professional, you have to take care of business.”

Hurd’s NFL career seems likely to be over now as he faces a hefty prison term if convicted. Williams, who expressed sympathy for Hurd’s wife and daughter, was asked what he might say if Hurd decided to reach out.

“Nothing,” Williams said. “He’s a grown man. It’s not like he’s 12. He knew what he was doing and what he was getting himself into. There’s nothing I can say.”