DALLAS -- Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for his role in starting a drug-distribution scheme while playing for the Chicago Bears, completing a steep downfall that ended his football career and left his future in tatters. Angels Jake Jewell Jersey . Hurd, 28, received the punishment in a federal courtroom in Dallas after pleading guilty in April to one count of trying to buy and distribute large amounts of cocaine and marijuana. The charge carried a minimum 10-year sentence and a maximum of life. Authorities say that while NFL teammates and friends knew him as a hardworking wide receiver and married father, Hurd was fashioning a separate identity as a wannabe drug kingpin with a focus on "high-end deals" and a need for large amounts of drugs. U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis gave Hurd a much shorter sentence than the 27 to 34 years recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. Solis noted that the case against Hurd centred on a "lot of agreements" to buy and sell marijuana and cocaine, rather than physical transactions of drugs. But, the judge said, "You didnt just start nickel and diming it." Hurd stood before him in orange jail scrubs after a rambling, emotional 30-minute plea for mercy. Behind him in the gallery were more than a dozen family members and friends. "You had everything going for you," Solis told Hurd, adding that he thought the case was a "tragedy." Federal inmates are typically not eligible for parole and required to serve at least 85 per cent of their sentences. Hurds December 2011 arrest outside a suburban Chicago steakhouse came after he tried to buy a kilogram of cocaine in what turned out to be a sting. According to a federal complaint, Hurd told an undercover agent that he wanted 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area. He claimed he was already distributing 4 kilograms a week, according to the complaint. A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds. At the time, Hurd was a wide receiver with stints for the Bears and Dallas Cowboys who had played most of his five seasons on special teams. He was in the first year of a three-year contract reportedly worth more than $5 million. The Bears soon cut him. Hurd was released on bail and returned to Texas, where he grew up, but soon fell into trouble again, according to court documents. He allegedly tried to buy more cocaine and marijuana through a cousin, Jesse Tyrone Chavful, and failed two drug tests. That led a magistrate judge in August 2012 to revoke his bail and order him returned to jail. Hurd spoke near the end of a four-hour hearing, sometimes reading from handwritten notes and sometimes looking directly at Solis to plead for mercy. While he denied leading a major conspiracy or dealing with Chavful, Hurd admitted to having a marijuana addiction and a weakness for friends who needed his help. He admitted giving $88,000 to another co-defendant, Toby Lujan, knowing that the money might go to buy drugs. And he admitted the fateful meeting at a steakhouse that ended in his arrest. "I regret not thinking about the consequences," Hurd said, adding: "I made some dumb, very bad decisions." His attorneys tried to explain his claims of having high-value customers and massive demand for drugs as mere boasting, saying he had a penchant for exaggeration. One of his lawyers, Michael McCrum, called his client "a guy showing up at a restaurant, talking stupid." "I think he should be punished, but for the crime that he committed," McCrum said. But Hurds failed drug tests and alleged dealings with Chavful appeared to factor heavily against him Wednesday. Prosecutors repeatedly brought up Chavful -- rejecting claims by Hurd and his attorneys that the two men were talking about Hurds attempts to start a T-shirt printing business. "Normally, when you dig a hole, you quit digging," said prosecutor John Kull. "But he keeps digging." Chavful and Lujan have both pleaded guilty to being involved in the conspiracy. Solis gave Chavful eight years in prison for his smaller role in the scheme. Lujan will be sentenced in January. While no other NFL players are known to have been charged in connection with the case, Hurd claimed in an interview published Tuesday by Sports Illustrated that he shared marijuana with Cowboys teammates and smoked during the last three to four years of his career "all day, every day." But while he gained extra notoriety due to his now-finished football career, prosecutors said Hurds case was simple. "Hes not being prosecuted because hes an NFL player," Kull said. "Hes being prosecuted because hes a drug dealer." 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And OShea immediately named Willy as his starter. "You see a guy who has been tutored by some good coaches," said OShea. "Hes ready for this." Winnipeg has two other quarterbacks on its roster -- Max Hall and Justin Goltz. And although Willy has made just four career CFL starts, OShea believes his time has come. "Its important to this franchise to have a quarterback and a guy that everybody can believe in.," OShea said. Willy, 27, played two seasons behind Darian Durant with the Roughriders. He said he prides himself on his passing accuracy and feels comfortable in all situations but also expects to learn by doing. "Being behind a guy like Darian Durant you learn a lot," he said. "Ive learned from George Cortez, you learn a ton. Obviously Ive had Khari Jones in my ear the last two years as well." Cortez is Saskatchewans offensive co-ordinator. Jones was the clubs quarterback coach in 2012 and 2013, before becoming the B.C. Lions offensive co-ordinator. "Its something for the fans and for the coaching staff, the management, to be excited about," OShea said of Willys signing. The Bombers are in dire need of a starter who can win games and fill seats at their new stadium. Thee club posted a 3-15 record last season that tied a modern franchise record for futility. Angels Eric Young Jr. Jersey. . The Bombers approached free agents Zach Collaros and Henry Burris. But Collaros signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats while Burris joined the expansion Ottawa Redblacks. Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters denied Willy was necessarily third on the Bombers list but also didnt rule out adding another quarterback to the roster. "Were always looking to improve our team, free agency trades . . . well explore all options all the time to improve our team and promote competition at every position," he said. But Walters had nothing but praise for the young quarterback theyre hanging their hopes on right now. "Pocket awareness, toughness, what drew put on film showed that hes ready to be a starting quarterback in this league," he said. Willy started two games in 2013, going 1-1. He earned his first career CFL win as a rookie, a come-from behind win at Winnipeg in the Banjo Bowl. He finished 17-of-23 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown while also running for another. Willy played at the University of Buffalo where he was the most prolific passer in school history, setting records for completions (849), attempts (1,322), passing yards (8,748), touchdowns (52), total offence (8,639), and completion percentage (64.2). He also spent some time in the NFL on practice squads in Indianapolis, Baltimore, San Diego, and New York and played in the UFL with Las Vegas in 2010. 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