The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez was born in Bristol Connecticut on November 06, 1989. His father Dennis Hernandez was an immigrant from Puerto Rico and his mother was of Italian descent. He had one brother Dennis Jr, known as DJ by friends and family. Hernandez attended the Bristol Central High School in Connecticut and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for football for the state of Connecticut in his senior year. His 31-career touchdown record tied the state record for the most touchdowns by a high school student and he set the state record for receiving yards in a game when he accumulated 376 yards. He averaged 180.7 receiving yards per game which was a national record and was considered the top tight end recruit by scout.com in 2007. He attended the University of Florida and was recognized as a first team AllAmerican in 2009. He was the winner of the John Mackey award, presented to the top tight end in college football. Hernandez left the University of Florida as a junior and was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010.
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He was one of the best tight ends in the National Football League (NFL) and was on course to be one of the greats of the game before his career ended abruptly in 2013 when he was arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd.
He was subsequently convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He committed suicide in April 2017.
How did Aaron Hernandez go from a top tight end with a promising career to a convicted murderer who ultimately took his own life? Let’s take a quick look.
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January 2006 – His father, Dennis Hernandez died from complications from hernia surgery. This severely affected Hernandez because his father was his mentor and main source of motivation and stability. According to his mother, Terri ValentineHernandez, he started acting out and became rebellious against authority figures. He also developed a temper with a penchant for violence. April 2007 – Hernandez was involved in an altercation with a restaurant employee after he had two drinks and refused to pay for them. He punched the employee on the side of the head breaking his eardrum. This incident was settled out of court and Hernandez was not charged. September 2007 – Gunshots were fired into a car carrying Randall Carson, Justin Glass and Corey Smith. Glass was shot in the arm and Smith was shot in the back of the head. Carson escaped injury. Carson gave a description of the shooter which fit Hernandez. No charges were filed against Hernandez. June 2010 – Hernandez was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 4th round of the NFL draft as the 113th overall pick and signed a 4-year contract.
January 2012 - Hernandez sets a career best of 138 receiving yards in a game against the Buffalo Bills. July 2012 – Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado are shot dead in Boston. August 2012 – Aaron Hernandez’s contract with the Patriots was extended. He signed a five year $40 million contract. February 2013 – Alexander Bradley, a former close associate of Aaron Hernandez filed a lawsuit claiming that he was shot by Hernandez and lost an eye in the process. Bradley and Hernandez came to a financial settlement on the matter. June 2013 – Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional footballer was found dead close to Hernandez’s home. Hernandez was later arrested for the murder and dropped by the New England Patriots. May 2014 – Hernandez is charged with first- degree murder in connection with Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado’s killings. April 2015 – Aaron Hernandez is convicted of killing Odin Lloyd and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Page 35
Aaron Hernandez was an extraordinarily talented individual who got the opportunity to play football at the highest level and to earn an income that afforded him a very comfortable lifestyle. Unfortunately, his inability to control his temper, his penchant for violence and the friends he chose ultimately led to his fall from grace. He has done some great things in football, but will always be remembered as the footballer who committed murder and failed to achieve his full potential.
April 2017 – Hernandez is acquitted of the 2012 killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Nevertheless, he commits suicide 5 days later in his prison cell. Page 36