To plead not guilty

Former NFL receiver Sam Hurd has hired new lawyers to defend him against accusations he tried to establish a drug-dealing network.

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Hurd, 26, will plead not guilty this week to charges he tried to buy large quantities of cocaine and marijuana, said his new lawyers, Michael McCrum of San Antonio and Jay Ethington of Dallas. Authorities say they caught Hurd telling an undercover agent he and a co-conspirator already distributed cocaine throughout the Chicago area and needed more supply.

McCrum, a former federal prosecutor who was nominated to become the U.S. Attorney for Texas' western district, said he was "honoured" 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."

Hurd, a former Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys receiver, was arrested in December during an undercover sting. The Bears released him a few days after the arrest.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Hurd told an undercover agent that he was interested in buying between 2.3 and 4.6 kilograms of cocaine and 454 kilograms of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area. He allegedly said he and a co-conspirator already distribute about four kilograms of cocaine per week.

Hurd allegedly described himself as the person who handled "high-end deals."

Hurd is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday but will seek to enter his plea electronically to avoid a brief hearing, his lawyers said. Kathy Colvin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Dallas, declined to comment.

Ethington described his new client as in a "transition period" following his arrest. The lawyers would not say whether Hurd continues to live in the Chicago area or in San Antonio, where he played high school ball and several family members still live.

The lawyers replace high-profile defence lawyers David Kenner and Brett Greenfield of Encino, Calif. Kenner could not immediately be reached for comment.