Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Josef Hernandez (November 6, 1989 – April 19, 2017) was an American football tight end who played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots before his career ended due to his arrest and conviction for murder. His life was marked by athletic excellence, criminal behavior, and a tragic end, culminating in his suicide while in prison. After his death, he was diagnosed with severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which sparked discussions about brain trauma in football players.
Early Life and Education
Family Background and Childhood
Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut, to Dennis Hernandez, of Puerto Rican descent, and Terri Valentine-Hernandez, of Italian descent. His early life was marked by domestic turbulence, with his parents experiencing financial difficulties and filing for bankruptcy in 1999. Both parents had encounters with law enforcement. He had an older brother, Dennis Jonathan Jr. (D.J.).
Hernandez's childhood was marred by abuse. His father, while pushing his sons to excel in sports, was often physically abusive toward both the children and their mother. The abuse was sometimes alcohol-related and occasionally occurred without apparent reason. Later revelations indicated that Hernandez was sexually abused as a child, beginning at age six, by a male teenager at his babysitter's house.
Following his father's death in 2006 from complications during hernia surgery, 16-year-old Hernandez's behavior reportedly changed significantly. He became rebellious against authority figures and grew increasingly estranged from his mother, especially after she began a relationship with his cousin's husband, Jeff Cummings. During this period, Hernandez moved in with his cousin Tanya Singleton, where he became more involved in criminal activity.
High School Career
At Bristol Central High School, Hernandez excelled in football, basketball, and track. As a senior football player, he earned Connecticut's Gatorade Football Player of the Year award after setting state records with 1,807 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. He was considered the top tight-end recruit in 2007 by Scout.com and was named a U.S. Army All-American.
College Career
Recruitment and Early College Years
Although initially committed to the University of Connecticut, Hernandez changed his commitment to the University of Florida under head coach Urban Meyer. He graduated high school early, at Meyer's urging, to join the Florida program. However, he was academically unprepared for college and required remedial courses at Santa Fe Community College.
Florida Gators (2007-2009)
At Florida, Hernandez played three seasons, developing into one of the nation's top tight ends. His collegiate statistics included:
- 2007: 9 receptions, 151 yards, 2 touchdowns
- 2008: 34 receptions, 381 yards, 5 touchdowns
- 2009: 68 receptions, 850 yards, 5 touchdowns
In his junior year, Hernandez won the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end and was named a first-team All-American. He was part of the team that won the 2009 BCS National Championship Game against Oklahoma. Later revelations indicated that Hernandez frequently used marijuana during his college career, leading to multiple failed drug tests.
Professional Career
NFL Draft
Hernandez entered the 2010 NFL Draft after his junior year. Despite his athletic talent, his draft stock fell due to character concerns and failed drug tests in college. The New England Patriots selected him in the fourth round (113th overall), alongside fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski.
New England Patriots (2010-2012)
Hernandez played three seasons with the Patriots, forming one of the NFL's most dominant tight end duos with Gronkowski. His NFL statistics included:
- 2010: 45 receptions, 563 yards, 6 touchdowns
- 2011: 79 receptions, 910 yards, 7 touchdowns
- 2012: 51 receptions, 483 yards, 5 touchdowns
In 2012, he signed a five-year, $39.58 million contract extension with the Patriots, including a $12.5 million signing bonus, then the largest ever for a tight end.
Legal Issues and Criminal Activity
Early Incidents
Hernandez had several run-ins with law enforcement throughout his life. Notable incidents included:
- 2007: Punched a restaurant employee in Gainesville, Florida, rupturing his eardrum
- 2007: Questioned in relation to a double shooting in Gainesville
- 2012: Allegedly involved in a double homicide in Boston
- 2013: Shot Alexander Bradley in Florida, leading to a civil lawsuit
Murder of Odin Lloyd
On June 17, 2013, Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds near Hernandez's home. On June 26, 2013, Hernandez was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The Patriots released him from the team less than two hours after his arrest.
On April 15, 2015, Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. While a clear motive was never established, investigators explored the possibility that Lloyd may have known about Hernandez's bisexuality, which Hernandez wanted to keep secret.
Boston Double Homicide Trial
Hernandez was also charged with the 2012 double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Boston. On April 14, 2017, he was acquitted of these murders but found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm.
Death and Aftermath
Suicide
On April 19, 2017, five days after his acquittal in the Boston double homicide case, Hernandez was found hanging in his prison cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. He had used bed sheets tied to his cell window and had written "John 3:16" on his forehead. Three handwritten notes were found next to a Bible in his cell. His death was ruled a suicide.
CTE Diagnosis
After his death, researchers at Boston University studied Hernandez's brain and diagnosed him with Stage 3 (out of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The severity of the condition in someone so young was unprecedented, and researchers suggested it may have contributed to his behavioral issues and criminal actions.
Legal Impact
Due to a Massachusetts legal doctrine called abatement ab initio, Hernandez's conviction was initially vacated after his death because his appeals were not exhausted. However, the conviction was reinstated in 2019 following an appeal from prosecutors and the Lloyd family. This case led to the elimination of the abatement ab initio doctrine in Massachusetts.
Personal Life
Relationships and Sexuality
Hernandez began dating Shayanna Jenkins in 2007. They had a daughter, Avielle, born in 2012. After his death, multiple sources, including former teammates and his lawyer, confirmed that Hernandez was bisexual. His high school teammate Dennis SanSoucie revealed they had a relationship between 7th and 11th grades. Hernandez struggled with his sexuality, which may have contributed to his paranoid behavior and violent tendencies.
Mental Health and Behavior
Throughout his adult life, Hernandez exhibited increasing paranoia and erratic behavior. He collected weapons, installed elaborate security systems, and feared for his safety. He struggled with drug use, including marijuana and cocaine, and showed dramatic mood swings. These behaviors were later potentially attributed to his CTE diagnosis.
Legacy
Hernandez's case brought attention to several important issues in professional sports, including:
- The impact of CTE on behavior and mental health
- The relationship between professional athletics and criminal behavior
- The role of sexuality and masculinity in professional sports
- The responsibility of teams and leagues regarding player conduct
His story has been the subject of numerous media productions, including documentaries and podcasts, and continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the intersection of professional sports, mental health, and criminal behavior.