Former Chicago Bears player Sam Hurd released from federal prison.

Sam Hurd, a former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, was sentenced to federal prison for cocaine trafficking. The ABC7 I-Team has learnt of his release from the facility.

The former NFL player was given a 15-year sentence that included ten years in prison. When Hurd, now 37, was still a member of the Bears in 2011, he was brought down by federal authorities.

He sat at a table with a man he believed to be a drug dealer at a Rosemont steakhouse, but who was actually an undercover agent. Hurd consented to purchase five to ten kilogrammes of cocaine every week at a price of $25,000 per kilogramme during a videotaped chat. After the deal, the feds came in and hauled him away from the parking lot.

Hurd was transferred to the federal prison in Texas’ Bastrop after entering a guilty plea.

Hurd said he’d been rehabilitated and should have been released early, as the I-Team revealed in 2016. That release request was turned down by a court.

The Bureau of Prisons freed him early three weeks ago and sent him to San Antonio for processing, after which he was either placed under home confinement or moved to a halfway house. The I-Team has requested explanation, but the BOP has not replied.

Gil Soffer, an ABC7 legal analyst and former federal prosecutor from Chicago, said, “The Bureau of Prisons has authority about what to do with people sentences towards the end of those sentences and often, whether because of prison crowding conditions or good behaviour or otherwise, they will cut a defendant loose.” “He has the chance to make a change in his life. He still has a lot of years ahead of him, is still relatively young, and, given the notoriety that came before him, has the opportunity to accomplish something worthwhile in life. We shouldn’t rule out that scenario.”

Hurd’s lawyer Jay Ethington told the I-Team on Thursday, “Unlike some inmates who follow the wrong path after being released from prison, Sam will follow the right path in the future and be a positive part of society.” One of the really nice individuals that fell victim to the drug trade was Sam. The Federal Judge, who reluctantly handed out the harsh punishment, knew that Sam would follow the law and succeed when he got back home. Sam is an intelligent, kind individual. He’ll be alright as long as the thieves don’t fool him.”

Michael McCrum, another of Hurd’s lawyers, told the I-Team, “Sam was not the ‘drug dealer’ as this case and punishment might lead others to believe. Sam is a wonderful guy and someone I would trust with my children. As he always did prior to being duped, I’m sure he will find a way to positively and productively impact our world.