A new report from The Boston Globe provides insight into the behavior of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez. The report highlights Hernandez’s erratic and troubling conduct, as recounted by his former teammates.
One incident involved a confrontation between Hernandez and fellow player Wes Welker, where Welker was threatened after teasing Hernandez about needing help with film.
Additionally, Hernandez’s disruptive behavior in the New England Patriots’ locker room is described, with the report suggesting that the team tolerated him due to their desire for success under Coach Bill Belichick.
Hernandez maintained relationships with criminal acquaintances from his hometown, which was known by his teammates. This was further evidence of his troublesome associations.
The report highlights an incident where Hernandez’s behavior caused tension with star quarterback Tom Brady during a practice session.
Brady reprimanded Hernandez for his disruptive antics. The report also references audio from 2011, in which Brady expressed the difficulty of handling Hernandez and another teammate, Brandon Spikes, to Tim Tebow.
Despite the strained relationships, Hernandez admired Brady, Julian Edelman, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He expressed a desire for them to visit him in prison.
Hernandez struggled with shifting moods, alternating between aggression and sensitivity.
He would sometimes display hyper-masculine behavior or speak about intimate moments with his mother. The report also mentions Hernandez’s history of brain injuries, including playing through a concussion.
After his death, it was discovered that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive brain trauma.
The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team has released a podcast called “Gladiator,” which delves into the life and death of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
Former teammates of Hernandez have come forward, stating that they had witnessed signs of his instability since his early days with the team.
One former teammate, Brandon Lloyd, revealed that Hernandez’s behavior often made his fellow players uncomfortable.
Lloyd was warned by Wes Welker, another teammate, about Hernandez’s inappropriate actions, such as exposing himself and discussing explicit topics.
Wild: Wes Welker tried to warn Brandon Lloyd about Aaron Hernandez back when he signed with the #Patriots in 2012:
"I just want to warn you that he’s going to talk about being bathed by his mother. He’s going to have his genitalia out in front of you while you’re sitting out on… pic.twitter.com/OIntZ0fcfk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 1, 2024
Lloyd described Hernandez as someone who had extreme mood swings, ranging from aggression to vulnerability. Dane Fletcher, another former Patriots player, shared similar experiences with Hernandez, describing him as unreliable and fluctuating between hostility and friendliness.
Hernandez was released from the team in 2013, shortly after being arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Two years later, he committed suicide in his prison cell.
A study conducted by Boston University’s CTE Center revealed that Hernandez had stage 3 CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated head trauma.
The official police report on his death confirmed that he was naked when he hanged himself and had written “John 3:16” with blood on the walls and ink on his forehead.
Authorities also found several drawings in blood in his cell.
This investigation challenges the notion that the Patriots organization overlooked potential warning signs when they drafted Hernandez, and sheds light on the troubling behavior and emotional instability exhibited by the former NFL player.
The report does not provide details on the drawings found in Aaron Hernandez’s prison cell, but officials discovered a Bible opened to John 3:16 with blood marking the 16th verse. Hernandez, a former NFL player, was found hanging from a bed sheet in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.
His body was found naked, and he had covered the window with a sheet, alerting officers to the incident. Hernandez was serving a life sentence for a 2013 murder. His defense team has criticized the investigation into his death, claiming an “unprecedented lack of professionalism.”
Five days before his suicide, Hernandez had been acquitted in a separate double slaying. Before taking his own life, he jammed the door with cardboard to prevent officers from entering. Officials found shampoo on the floor to make it slippery.
Hernandez had a fresh cut on his finger and circular blood marks on his feet. No drugs were found in his system according to toxicology reports. Handwritten notes were discovered in his cell, including letters to his fiancée and daughter, as well as one to a fellow inmate.
The content of the notes had not been disclosed. Surveillance footage showed Hernandez on the phone shortly before his cell door was locked, but no indications of self-harm were found.
Aaron Hernandez’s defense team had criticized the authorities for the alleged leaks surrounding his death investigation. They believe that a thorough and independent investigation should have been conducted and were disappointed by the lack of professionalism exhibited by government officials and employees during the process.
The family was not informed of the investigation’s specifics before the information was leaked to the press, causing them to learn about Aaron’s death through news reports. The team raised concerns over the validity and thoroughness of the investigation due to the unprofessional conduct of those involved.
They planned to review all evidence without speculation and are determined to prevent any interference from officials. The statement ended with gratitude towards those who have offered their condolences to the family.
The report sheds light on Hernandez’s troubled behavior and the impact it had on his teammates and the team as a whole. It also underscores the physical toll that the game took on his mental health.
Fans had these to say:
Aaron Hernandez and Diddy wouldve been a diabolical duo.
— Trxppy (@randomassdudee0) March 1, 2024
Bro frfr was a freak with CTE
— Splash and Furious 🐬 (@JoshuaClow) March 1, 2024
Can Wes psychoanalyze the dolphins lockeroom and potential draft picks
— Alexander Emmett (@AlexEmmett) March 1, 2024
Ngl imagine him AB n Chandler Jones all on same team back in day 💀
— Sam Metcalf (@Smetcalf55) March 1, 2024
I didn’t think having the same name as him could get any worse but here we are
— AyeAron (@ayeronhernandez) March 1, 2024
To think murdering someone wasn't even the most reprehensible thing this guy did.
— CMP-MD (@NJSportsDoc) March 1, 2024
We need these type of people out of society by whatever means necessary
— KERMiT✈️ (@KERM1T1969) March 1, 2024
Hey Dov, you’ve tweeted about “sex” more than a dozen times before, but when it’s gay sex you use an asterisk. Why is that?
— Josh Mansour (@joshmansour) March 1, 2024
It's a lockeroom. There's gonna be genitalia. The mother bathing comment is the weirdest shit here.
— Ron SnowMexico (@BHolmesNL1988) March 1, 2024
Bbbbut they said he wasn’t t gay.
— Percy Bysshe (@ByssheUp) March 1, 2024
