Football standout’s path took shocking turn
Aaron Hernandez was found dead in a Massachusetts prison cell Wednesday morning, ending a stunning spiral for a former NFL star who five years ago signed a $41 million contract with the New England Patriots and then was accused of three murders.
Hernandez, a standout tight end on the 2008 University of Florida’s national championship team, is drafted by the New England Patriots. Off-field problems hurt Hernandez’s draft stock, and the college All-American with firstround talent falls to the fourth round. “It was a long draft,” Hernandez admits, “but I was just happy regardless of where I got picked because it’s a dream come true. I didn’t care whether I went in the first round or the seventh round; as long as I got picked I was going to be happy because there are millions of people out there who would love to be in my shoes.”
Playing in Super Bowl XLVI, Hernandez leads the Patriots with eight receptions for 67 yards and a third-quarter touchdown. New England loses, 21-17, to the New York Giants.
An SUV pulls up to a BMW on an overpass in South Boston and someone sprays a volley of bullets into the sedan, according to the Boston Globe. The driver and front-seat passenger — Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado — die at the scene of the driveby shooting.
Hernandez signs a $41 million contract with the Patriots - and immediately donates $50,000 to a Patriots’ charity. Team owner Robert Kraft calls the donation “one of the touching moments since I’ve owned the team.”
The body of Odin Lloyd, a semipro football player and landscaper with personal ties to Hernandez, is found in an industrial park near Hernandez’s home south of Boston.
Hernandez is charged with first degree murder in Lloyd’s killing. The Patriots cut him less than two hours after authorities take him into custody. “Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation,” a team statement says. “At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.” A grand jury indicts Hernandez for the alleged murder of Lloyd. A grand jury indicts Hernandez in the double murder of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado.
Hernandez is found guilty of killing Lloyd, giving him an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole.
“Tragedy,” Patriots Coach Bill Belichick says of Hernandez. “Heartbreaking,” CNBC’s Suzy Welch says. “Yes; that would be another word,” Belichick says.
Hernandez is found not guilty for the killings of de Abreu and Furtado, but remains in prison for killing Lloyd.
Hernandez is found hanging from a bedsheet tied to his window. He is pronounced dead an hour later. He was 27.