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T-Ham – that's what we used to call Troy Hambrick – was one of my favorite players during his four seasons with the Cowboys.

He could make you laugh with the stories about his childhood in Lacoochee, Fla. And his teammates, for the most part, loved his sense of humor.

But he also had talent.

He rushed for 972 yards and five touchdowns in 2003, and owns one of the most prolific rushing performances in franchise history with a 189-yard game against Washington in 2003.

T-Ham, however, never grew up. And that's the primary reason the 31-year-old was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty Feb. 26 to one count of selling 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

It's sad, really.

Hambrick, an undrafted free agent, foolishly thought his career would last forever like so many other young players. He dismissed the notion that the average NFL career is just a blip on the screen of life.

His career lasted five seasons, longer than most.

But Hambrick didn't save any money. He didn't think about the future. And when his career ended without glory, he was unprepared for life.

Instead of taking advantage of a wonderful opportunity to start his life with a $400,000 or $500,000 head start, he wasted it.

How sad.