New England Patriots: Aaron Hernandez Found Dead in Prison Cell
By Nick Ziegler
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday morning, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell. His death comes just a few days after he was acquitted of double murder. However, he was still serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd.
According to prison officials via ESPN.com, Hernandez was found hanging from the ceiling of his cell by bedsheets with the inside of his cell being blocked by various items. While his death is being ruled a suicide, Hernandez’s former agent doesn’t believe that he would take his life.
"“Chico was not a saint, but my family and I loved him and he would never take his own life,” Murphy said via ESPN.com.His death was “a shocking and sad end to a very tragic series of events that has negatively impacted a number of families,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn via ESPN.com."
Hernandez was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2010 NFL Draft and looked like he had a bright future in the NFL. Being drafted in the same class as Rob Gronkowski, he and Hernandez looked like they were going to be an unstoppable duo at tight end.
In his short three-year career, Hernandez totaled 175 receptions, 1,956 receiving yards, and 18 receiving touchdowns. In 2012, the Patriots signed Hernandez to a long-term contract extension. However, he was cut by the team in June after he was arrested for the murder of Lloyd.
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As a talented football player, the Hernandez story is a tragic one for not only him, but the family of Lloyd. More information will surely be coming out in the days to come about his death, but we do know that Hernandez is dead at the age of 27.