Signed by the Bears as undrafted free agents on April 28, 2013, cornerbacks Demontre Hurst and C.J. Wilson soon became inseparable on and off the field, even rooming together on road trips.
So when Hurst heard that Wilson—who joined the Buccaneers after being cut by the Bears last season—had lost two fingers in a fireworks accident during Fourth of July weekend, he called his friend to offer support.