Former Bears cornerback Mike Richardson traveling road to redemption

"When you're living a double life, it's hard to keep that a secret," Richardson said. "But that's what we usually commit to in doing whatever it takes to hide most of the negative activity we're participating in. Usually the person who is involved doesn't see some of the destruction that he is doing at the time. You continue to hide and manipulate and not look at the downside to it. You don't give enough attention to the negative consequences. That's what we do. Guys try to hide as much as they can, whether it is multiple relationships or any other negative behavior."

Unlike the cases against Richardson, the allegations against Hurd have to do with him attempting to purchase and deal drugs as a current player.

"Most of mine was after I was done (playing)," Richardson said. "My destruction was not here in Chicago. It was in another state. It was a little bit of how I grew up; it was a little bit of who I hung around with, some of it was false illusions as far as maybe (drugs) being a sexual enhancer.

"But the bottom line is: How do you get out of it? That is more important. It's how you think, feel and act. The biggest issue is committing to change. And that's a daily process that has to come from the individual."