Fansided

New England Patriots Release Aaron Hernandez

By Josh Hill

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is unable to make the catch in the first half of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is unable to make the catch in the first half of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is unable to make the catch in the first half of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is unable to make the catch in the first half of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots aren’t waiting to see if Aaron Hernandez is guilty or not in the murder of Odis Lloyd and they’ve released him from their roster. After being taken away from his home in handcuffs this morning by police, Hernandez has been cut by the Patriots and despite the hit they’ll take by doing so, it’s clear the Patriots want nothing to do with Hernandez or the attention he’s bringing the team.

Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Patriots will not be able to recover the $12.5 million signing bonus that was handed to the tight end in 2012 but that’s not stopping the team from distancing itself as far as it can from a guy that looked to be the No. 1 tight end coming into the season.

With Rob Gronkowski all of a sudden coming down with what seems like an endless string of injuries,  Hernandez looked like he was in line to have a big season as Tom Brady’s biggest target. But football is the furthest thing from his mind right now as he faces very serious charges that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life.

He hasn’t been convicted of anything so we must reserve judgement. But the Patriots did not wait long to cut Hernandez loose from their roster which shows just how serious they are about keeping their image as far away from Hernandez as humanly possible.

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