Prior to the 2010 NFL draft, it was widely known that Aaron Hernandez had failed drug tests while at the University of Florida. That was apparently not the only reason the Patriots tight end fell to the fourth round.
Some of Hernandez’s associates in his hometown of Bristol, Conn., were involved in gang activity, according to Sports Illustrated. Multiple NFL personnel sources and a law enforcement official told SI about the off-field concerns.
Hernandez was removed from “a lot” of teams’ draft boards prior to being selected in the fourth round by New England, according to the SI report. Multiple former and current teammates vouched for Hernandez to SI, though, saying he has some minor maturity issues on the field, but that he is “a great kid at heart.” A former and current teammate told SI that Hernandez was “having some trouble with his past associates and was seeking distance from them.”
Hernandez has been questioned about the murder of a 27-year-old man near the Patriot’s home in North Attleboro, Mass. Hernandez is also being sued after an acquaintance said the tight end shot him in the face.
