Bears receiver Sam Hurd currently has serious legal issues. He soon may have serious employment issues, too.
Apart from the question of whether the Bears will simply cut Hurd, who has made only eight catches for 109 yards in 12 games this season, the NFL likely will take action against Hurd, under the personal conduct policy.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells PFT that the league is “looking into” the situation.
The league has applied different approaches to players facing prosecution for serious crimes. Former Falcons quarterback Mike Vick promptly was suspended after being indicted for dogfighting in July 2007. In contrast, the league took no action against former Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox, who was charged last year with raping a woman who had passed out in his apartment.
Some would say the league’s response depends on the profile of the player and/or the attention the allegations receive.
In Hurd’s case, the league likely will ask questions first and shoot later, especially in light of the report that Hurd’s customers included a double-digit number of NFL players. The league could give Hurd a chance to come clean regarding his customers before making any decisions about Hurd’s status pending trial.
Regardless, any players who were buying cocaine or marijuana from Hurd need to be nervous, because there’s a pretty good chance the league will find out about it — and then do something about it.