Former Pasco, NFL football star gets five years in federal prison

TAMPA -– U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday sentenced former NFL running back Troy Hambrick to five years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine last year in his hometown of Dade City.

"I have confidence you can regain your place in the community," the judge said. "But nonetheless you committed an offense that is serious."

Troy Hambrick is one half of the most famous brotherly duo in Pasco County football history. He and older brother Darren Hambrick led the Pasco High School Pirates to the 1992 Class 3A state football championship, then both went on to NFL careers.

But both have been out of the league for years now. Troy Hambrick, 31, was indicted in December and reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in February. In exchange for pleading guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing 50 or more grams of crack cocaine, the federal government dropped two more counts.

The judge did show a bit of leniency, sparing Hambrick from a guideline sentence of six to seven years. He also sentenced Hambrick to four years of federal probation after his release, ordered substance abuse counseling and wanted Hambrick placed in a prison nearest his family in east Pasco.

Hambrick was attempting a comeback with the Arena Football League but was cut within hours of the indictment.

Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer