Sam Hurd pleads not guilty in drug case

[truebluefan]

Only hours after hiring new attorneys Monday, former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd plead not guilty to charges that he tried to establish a drug-dealing network.

Hurd was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but entered his plea electronically to avoid the brief hearing.

Hurd's new attorneys, Michael McCrum of San Antonio and Jay Ethington of Dallas, said earlier Monday that the 26-year Hurd would enter a not guilty plea to accusations that he tried to buy large quantities of cocaine and marijuana. Authorities say they caught Hurd telling an undercover agent that he and a co-conspirator already distributed cocaine throughout the Chicago area and needed more supply.

McCrum, a former federal prosecutor who was once nominated to become the U.S. attorney for Texas' western district, said he was "honored" to represent Hurd but it was too early to comment on the charges.

"I am looking forward to seeing what evidence the government may have," McCrum said Monday. "I believe there's much more to the story than what's being portrayed."

Read more: http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/i...-drug-case