One of the most productive offensive weapons in the NFL, New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has become a true safety blanket for quarterback Tom Brady. With his ability to make catches going across the middle while also providing the Pats with a downfield threat, the 23-year-old has been consistently utilized on the gridiron by head coach Bill Belichick. For all the success the former University of Florida standout has enjoyed on the field, the tight end recently became a focal point in the murder of a semiprofessional football player.
The body of Odin Lloyd, a member of the Boston Bandits semipro football team, was found shot in the back of the head on Monday near the home of Hernandez in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Local police involved in the crime indicated that Lloyd was dating the sister of the woman who gave birth to Hernandez's child. According to NBC Sports, the NFL stars involvement with the case is serious enough that the arresting of Hernandez is likely.
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FOX Sports Boston -- through an anonymous source -- indicated that a vehicle driven by Aaron Hernandez was linked to the crime scene after an extensive forensic investigation. The website also noted that the tight end was with Lloyd at a local bar on the night of his execution-style death. As the National Football League continues to monitor the events of this case while not releasing any official comments, Hernandez and his representatives remain mum on the situation as well, letting authorities handle the early part of the process.
"It has been widely reported in the media that the state police have searched the home of our client, Aaron Hernandez, as part of an ongoing investigation," attorney Michael Fee said in a recent statement. "Out of respect for that process, neither we nor Aaron will have any comment about the substance of that investigation until it has come to a conclusion," attorney Michael Fee said in a statement.
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Despite achieving tremendous success throughout his football career on all levels, this is not the first time Hernandez has been involved in a gun incident. According to Sports Illustrated, Alexander S. Bradley, an acquaintance of Hernandez, filed a civil complaint on June 13 against the football star alleging that a gun in Aaron Hernandez's possession shot Bradley in the face and caused him to lose his right eye. SI.com notes that the gun discharged while the two individuals and other associates were traveling from Miami to Palm Beach and that four days after filing the complaint, Mr. Bradley dropped the suit.
While this situation continues to develop, a former coach of Aaron Hernandez at the University of Florida says the 23-year-old's surroundings may be a cause of his negative actions. Growing up in Connecticut, Florida coaches were reportedly always concerned when Hernandez returned home because of the bad influences that surrounded him through his circle of friends.
"There were always people that were trying to surround themselves with him that weren't in his best interest and they were around him," his former Gator coach said to Sports Illustrated. "For him, it's like anything else. He's a good-hearted kid who had a hard time saying no. He's a lovable kid. He's always welcome in my house and he's always called my kids and talked to them. He's a great kid, but since his father passed away the maturity part has been a little bit of a struggle."
It remains to be seen what will happen to the NFL receiver as this investigation continues to develop, but it certainly does not bode well for someone who was just beginning to become a superstar in the National Football League.
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