Before a pivotal game at Central Michigan last November, Chippewa fans taunted NIU wide receiver Sam Hurd while he was stretching in the end zone.

Instead of ignoring the insults, Hurd jawed right back, telling the fans they would be seeing plenty of him that day. The senior lived up to his word, catching a school-record 266 yards on 12 receptions to help NIU secure a 31-28 victory.

The San Antonio native has always been confident in his abilities on the field. So when the Dallas Cowboys called on Sunday, it was a fitting end to Hurd’s magical year that earned him the spot as the Northern Star’s No. 2 athlete of the year.

After totaling 78 catches and 1,248 yards the previous three years, “The Birdman” exploded in 2005 with 65 receptions for 1,074 yards and 13 touchdowns. But even as the NFL Draft ended Sunday afternoon without his name being called, he was still confident the NFL would be his final destination. An hour later, the Cowboys called and offered him contract.

“I never got mad or frustrated though,” Hurd said. “There were guys who were too short, who didn’t run well or have half the stats as me and they got drafted. I’ll just use that as motivation.”

After playing football 1,200 miles from home for the last four years, Hurd’s return to Texas will be a long-awaited homecoming.

“It means everything,” Hurd said. “Being up here, I only got to see my mom about twice a year. Now I won’t be too far away from home, so I can drive home and visit my family anytime.”

Known for his pre-game predictions and in-game trash talk, Hurd will now be sharing the field with volatile wide receiver Terrell Owens. But Hurd insists his play on the field will do the talking for him.

“I’m not wild like that,” Hurd said. “I speak my mind, but I can control myself. I’ll try to learn everything I can from T.O.”

How he works out, how he runs his routes, everything.”