From Football Star to Felony Murder: The Dramatic Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez
In 2013, New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez shocked the world when he was arrested on murder charges. However, that was only the beginning of the story
Background
Aaron Hernandez's name was once synonymous with football greatness, but his story is now remembered as a cautionary tale of athletic talent overshadowed by tragedy. A star on the gridiron, his life off the field was plagued by personal demons, poor decisions, and involvement in criminal activities.
Prison Suicide
Hernandez’s 2017 prison suicide was as sudden and shocking as the crimes that had landed him there.
In the early hours of April 19, 2017, Aaron Hernandez was found hanging in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts. At 3:03 a.m., correctional officers conducting a routine check discovered Hernandez unresponsive in his cell. He had used a bedsheet to hang himself from the window bars.
Earlier that evening, guards had reported nothing unusual while doing their rounds. Investigators later found that Hernandez had used items to block his cell door from being opened easily, a deliberate act to delay intervention.
Inside the cell, the walls were marked with unsettling details. Written in what appeared to be blood was the Bible verse "John 3:16," a reference to God's promise of eternal life to believers.
The same verse was also written on Hernandez's forehead in red ink. Nearby, a Bible featuring the verse lay open to the page. The scene painted a picture of a man grappling with his faith in his final moments.
Efforts to revive Hernandez were unsuccessful. He was transported to UMass Memorial-HealthAlliance Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m. His death was ruled a suicide, with no signs of foul play.
However, in the aftermath of his death, family and legal representatives expressed skepticism, questioning whether Hernandez had truly taken his own life.
Hernandez's death brought immediate legal and social consequences. Under Massachusetts law at the time, his suicide nullified his murder conviction for the killing of Odin Lloyd due to the principle of "abatement ab initio," which erases convictions if the defendant dies before exhausting the appeals process.
This legal loophole was later closed, and his conviction was reinstated posthumously.
The discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Hernandez's brain following his death added complexity to his legacy. The advanced stage of the disease, often linked to repeated head trauma, raised questions about its impact on his behavior, mental health, and decision-making.
Early Years
Aaron Josef Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut, on November 6, 1989. His athletic prowess was evident from a young age. In high school, he excelled in football and basketball, eventually focusing on football as his primary sport.
Hernandez later recalled that his parents had a contentious relationship and that he and his older brother DJ were routinely beaten by their father, especially when his father was drinking.
His father also pushed Aaron hard to excel in athletics, one time even assaulting a youth football coach after a dispute over coaching styles.
Hernandez’s father passed away unexpectedly after complications from hernia surgery. Aaron was 16 when his father died, and despite the abusive nature of their relationship, Hernandez’s father’s death significantly affected him.
It was shortly after his father’s death that Hernandez began to get into trouble and associate himself with a criminal element. During his high school years, Hernandez began regularly using marijuana and alcohol.
Hernandez also had a somewhat troubled relationship with his mother, later lamenting that he didn’t believe that she truly ever knew him as a person. Aaron’s older brother DJ also revealed that Aaron had experienced sexual abuse as a child.
These experiences had already given a young Hernandez a bleak view of the world and people’s intentions.
College Career
Despite these hardships, Hernandez excelled at football during high school and, with his talent, was highly recruited by several universities. He had first committed to playing for his hometown, University of Connecticut.
However, he was impressed by University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who flew out to Hernandez’s mother’s house to speak to the family. In a move that was likely detrimental to him, Hernandez was allowed to graduate high school a semester early and move to the UF campus in Gainesville, Florida, just after his 17th birthday.
Hernandez’s high school principal later admitted that it was a mistake to have let Aaron graduate early.
He was not emotionally mature enough to handle this change, and according to former teammates, he struggled with anger issues and emotional outbursts. He was prone to becoming involved in nightclub fights, as he often thought people were trying to “test” him.
He was involved in several legal issues while attending UF, including assaulting a restaurant manager and even being questioned in a double shooting where a witness placed him at the scene, though he later recanted his story.
When he was interviewed, the police found his behavior to be strange and suspicious.
Despite all this, Hernandez had major success with the Gators. He became a standout tight end under coach Urban Meyer, helping the team secure a national championship in 2009.
NFL Fame
In January 2010, Hernandez announced his plans to leave Florida and enter the NFL draft. Though his skill set made him an appealing prospect, reportedly, concerns over his character and off the field behavior caused his draft stock to take a hit. He received the lowest possible score in “social maturity.” Some teams, including the Colts and Dolphins, left him off their draft board entirely.
He was expected to be selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. However, due to concerns about his off field behavior, he fell to the fourth round where he was selected by the New England Patriots.
His rookie year saw him become the youngest player in the league, showcasing his exceptional talent. Over three seasons, he formed a formidable duo with fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski, becoming a key player in the Patriots' offense.
In 2012, Hernandez signed a five-year, $40 million contract extension, cementing his status as a rising NFL star.
Despite his on field success, Hernandez remained aloof from many of his teammates and, according to some, enjoyed being seen as an outcast. Though like his college quarterback Tim Tebow had tried to do, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attempted to steer Hernandez in a positive direction but admitted that it was not easy.
Hernandez's continued associations with individuals tied to criminal activities became a persistent problem. Reports of volatile behavior and ongoing substance abuse surfaced, even as he maintained his public image as a committed athlete and family man.
Hernandez was engaged to Shayanna Jenkins, his high school girlfriend with whom he had a daughter, but his erratic behavior complicated their relationship.
Downfall
Hernandez's life took a dark turn on June 17, 2013, when the body of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player and acquaintance of Hernandez, was discovered in an industrial park near Hernandez's home. Lloyd had been shot multiple times, and evidence quickly pointed to Hernandez.
Surveillance footage, text messages, and witness testimony painted a damning picture. Hernandez was seen with Lloyd and two other men in the hours leading up to the murder. Forensic evidence, including a piece of bubble gum and a shell casing found in a rental car, linked Hernandez to the crime.
On June 26, 2013, Hernandez was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The Patriots released him within hours, and his trial captivated the nation. In April 2015, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Even as Hernandez faced conviction for Lloyd's murder, other allegations came to light. He was accused of involvement in a 2012 double homicide in Boston, where two men were fatally shot after a nightclub altercation with Hernandez.
He was also charged with witness intimidation after he allegedly shot a former friend in the face and left him to die after the two had a falling out.
While he was acquitted of these charges in 2017, the trial revealed a pattern of violence and instability.
Hernandez's connections to crime extended beyond these high-profile cases. Reports emerged of incidents during his NFL career, including altercations and allegations of threatening behavior, further tarnishing his reputation.
Aftermath
Hernandez's story became a national fascination, blending elements of celebrity, sports, crime, and tragedy. For some, he was a tragic figure—a man who succumbed to his circumstances and neurological damage. For others, he was a cautionary tale of squandered potential and unchecked ego.
Media portrayals often highlighted his duality: a gifted athlete with a dark side. Documentaries, books, and news coverage dissected his life, offering varying interpretations of his actions and motivations. Public opinion remains divided, with some focusing on his crimes and others emphasizing the role of CTE and his troubled upbringing.
After his death, an autopsy revealed that Hernandez suffered from Stage 3 CTE, a severe form of the brain disease typically found in much older individuals. Researchers described his brain as one of the most damaged they had ever seen in someone his age.
Symptoms of CTE include aggression, impulsivity, and depression—factors that may have contributed to Hernandez's actions and ultimate demise.
The revelation intensified debates about the NFL's handling of player safety and the long-term impact of head injuries. Hernandez's family filed a lawsuit against the league, alleging negligence in protecting players from the risks of repeated head trauma.
Closing Thoughts
Aaron Hernandez's life and death serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human behavior. A young man blessed with extraordinary talent, he became ensnared in a web of poor choices, toxic influences, and possible neurological impairment.
His violent life and tragic end underscore the importance of addressing mental health issues, the long-term effects of sports injuries, and the need for early intervention in at-risk individuals.
As the story of Aaron Hernandez continues to captivate and confound, it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about fame, crime, and the human condition. While his legacy will forever be marred by the crimes he committed, it also serves as a call to action for understanding and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Sources:
ABC News. (2017, April 19). Aaron Hernandez found dead in prison cell, officials say. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/aaron-hernandez-found-dead-prison-cell-officials/story
ESPN. (2017, May 4). Aaron Hernandez found with 'John 3:16' written in ink on forehead. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19311961/aaron-hernandez-found-bible-passage-john-316-written-ink-forehead-report-says
Hartwell, M. (2017, April 20). Aaron Hernandez's brain showed severe CTE damage, researchers say. The Boston Globe. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com
NFL.com. (2017, April 19). Aaron Hernandez: Timeline of a troubled life. Retrieved from https://www.nfl.com/news/aaron-hernandez-timeline-of-a-troubled-life-0ap3000000801648
New York Times. (2017, April 19). Aaron Hernandez: From Football Star to Murder Convict. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
Siemaszko, C. (2017, September 21). Aaron Hernandez had advanced CTE, doctors find; family sues NFL, Patriots. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/aaron-hernandez-had-advanced-cte-doctors-find-family-sues-n803971
TMZ. (2017, May 4). Aaron Hernandez wrote 'John 3:16' in blood on cell wall. Retrieved from https://www.tmz.com/2017/05/04/aaron-hernandez-john-316-blood-police-report
Zirin, D. (2017). Aaron Hernandez: His Rise, His Fall, and His Final Chapter. Beacon Press.
It is an impactful story that is well told. The article imagres are also very interesting in how they frame this story, for example, the first seems to bury his ongoign life sentence into one of the last few paragraphs and paints him as someone who committed suicide after being acquitted. Only careful readers would know he was still serving a life sentence.
The CTE is also fascinating, given ongoing discussions about what drives people to commit crimes and how to deal with individuals who have physiological factors that appear to be correlated to criminal activity.