New England Patriots declined “camp fodder” because of gun charges

The New England Patriots are ready to move on with their lives and distance themselves from the Aaron Hernandez scandal. But his lasting impression on the Patriots is evident with how they’re doing business now. Check out this story from Pro Football Talk.

From Pro Football Talk:

"According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, The Patriots appeared ready to sign former Duke defensive tackle John Drew. He had passed a physical and had a contract in his hand when he was told the team had a change of heart.It might be that Drew’s past came to light. In 2010, he was arrested with two other students for firing a gun in the air on campus, pleaded guilty and was immediately kicked off the team. He finished his college career at North Carolina Central.Scheduling a press conference at a convenient time is one thing, but turning camp fodder away at the last minute, perhaps because of the gun charge, shows how sensitive the next few days are going to be there."

Essentially this player was just coming in to be a body at training camp and had no real shot at making the team. But even with these gun charges on his record, the Patriots didn’t want to touch him.

The press conference is Bill Belichick’s first since the Aaron Hernandez arrest, it’ll be Wednesday at 2 pm.