Hurd's wife, mother and father-in-law attended the federal court hearing. His attorney spoke while leaving the courthouse.
"He's eager to fight this case. He's eager to get in court. And he's eager for the truth to come out. And the truth will come out," Brett Greenfield said.
Dressed in a prison jumpsuit with his ankle chained together, Hurd, 26, listened quietly as the judge ordered him to pay the $100,000 cash bond, submit to drug screening and appear in a Texas court -- date to be determined. He also has to surrender his passport.
Hurd is accused of overseeing a Chicago drug operation and supplying drugs to other NFL players.
"Out of respect to the NFL, out of respect to his teammates, and out of respect to other players, he 100-percent denies that allegation," Greenfield said.
Authorities say Hurd attempted to buy, with intent to sell, large quantities of cocaine and marijuana --up to $700,000 worth per week. On Friday, the Chicago Bears brass cut the veteran wide receiver from the team and maintained they were unaware of his alleged activities.
"I could sit here and tell you with total transparency that we did everything we know to do in terms of our research and there was nothing we found that would create an alert or concern in Sam Hurd's case," Jerry Angelo, Bears general manager, said.
Hurd's arrest Wednesday night followed a meeting with an undercover federal agent at a Rosemont restaurant. It stunned his teammates, many of whom describe Hurd as affable and religious. His coach at Northern Illinois University said Hurd had academic issues, but no other problems.
"He loved to practice. He loved to work at his football. It was very important to him. He was certainly a good player for us, but never had an issue on the field with Sam," Joe Novak, NIU Head football coach, said.
Hurd's lawyer declined to discuss the case itself, which includes allegations that Hurd asked about getting a Mexican cell phone to avoid police surveillance. That could undermine any entrapment defense, according to attorney Eldon Ham. Ham successfully defended the Chicago Bears' Richard Dent from a drug suspension during the 1980s.
"When you talk about how to work together to keep this quiet and keep this secret and work that way, it doesn't look good for the intent," Ham said.
After the hearing, Greenfield said he had not yet told his client that he had been cut from the Chicago Bears. But Greenfield said Hurd was an asset to his former team and he hopes the wide receiver will soon be back on the field.