Sam Hurd's Arrest Will Have Negative Effect on More Than Just NFL

Sam Hurd is facing federal drug charges after being arrested for wanting to buy "five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week for distribution in the Chicago area," according to the criminal complaint against him (via The Washington Post).

Hurd also supposedly sold drugs to as many as 15 NFL players, but that he has vehemently denied, according to AOL Sporting News.

But the idea of him selling drugs to other NFL players isn't absurd. 

This is Hurd's sixth year in the league and the number of players he has come in contact with is in the thousands.  If Hurd moved as many drugs as he is accused of wanting to buy, then it is not unrealistic that he could have sold to some of his brethren.

It is also possible that Hurd's dealings have reached beyond the NFL and into other professional sports. 

Hurd grew up in Texas, played his college ball in Illinois and then spent the next five years playing in his home state for the Cowboys.  Between the four major sports (baseball, football, basketball and hockey), there are 13 franchises located in Texas and Illinois, along with numerous minor league affiliates for each sport and professional soccer teams. 

By shear numbers it is more than possible that Hurd has had dealings outside the NFL.

Professional athletes share a camaraderie with each other.  They are the best at their craft and are accustomed to living a certain lifestyle.  A lot of professional athletes also feel that they are untouchable and can get away with almost anything.

If it is proved that Hurd did sell drugs to NFL players, it will only be a matter of time before athletes in the NBA, NHL or MLB will also be named. 

The black eye already suffered by the NFL will be felt throughout professional sports, and it will change the way players are viewed by fans and how they act away from the game.