Ex-Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug dealing.

The 28-year-old was released by the Bears in December 2011 following his arrest for a role in trying to buy and distribute large amounts of cocaine and marijuana.

Hurd was known in the NFL as a hard-working family man, but led a double life as what US District Judge Jorge Solis described as "a wannabe drug kingpin with a focus on high-end deals" during Wednesday's court hearing.

Hurd pleaded guilty to charges in April, with Hawaii News Now reporting that he said in court: "I have regrets, your honour. I have a lot of regrets. I made some dumb, very bad decisions."

The Bears cut Hurd when he was in the first year of a three-year contract reportedly worth more than $5m (£3.1m).