(CNN) Rae Carruth, a former NFL star who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the murder of his girlfriend and attempting to destroy their unborn child almost 20 years ago, was released from prison Monday morning.

Carruth, 44, walked out of the Sampson Correctional Institution in Clinton, North Carolina, as a free man shortly after 8 am ET. He got into a white Chevrolet Tahoe that was waiting for him, which quickly pulled away.

A former Carolina Panthers wide receiver, Carruth spoke to CNN affiliate WSOC by phone days ahead of his release.

Rae Carruth, 44, leaving the Sampson Correctional Institution in Clinton, North Carolina

"I'm excited about just being out of here," Carruth said to the station. "I'm nervous just about how I'll be received by the public. I still have to work. I still have to live. I have to exist out there and it just seems like there is so much hate and negativity toward me."

Carruth will serve nine months post-release supervision, according to Jerry Higgins, spokesman for North Carolina Department of Corrections. Higgins said Carruth is required to perform regular check-ins with his parole officer as a part of his post-release supervision.

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