Despite achieving great success as a professional athlete, an American Football star faced ongoing legal troubles throughout his life. Aaron Hernandez, a prominent player for the New England Patriots, was arrested in 2013 for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a close associate. Reports suggested that Hernandez allegedly committed the crime out of fear that Lloyd would expose his sexuality, as it was believed that Lloyd discovered Hernandez’s bisexuality.
Lloyd, who was dating Shaneah Jenkins, the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, at the time, reportedly provoked Hernandez by revealing his knowledge of Hernandez’s affair with a male friend before his tragic death. Lloyd was fatally shot in an industrial park near his residence in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.
Ernest Wallace, a co-defendant in the murder case, alleged that Lloyd used a homophobic slur towards Hernandez, sparking a violent response. Hernandez, who shared a daughter with Shayanna, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015 for Lloyd’s killing but was acquitted of a separate double murder charge.
Following his acquittal, rumors about Hernandez’s sexuality surfaced, leading to his tragic suicide in prison. Hernandez, who was reportedly in a relationship with another inmate, left behind suicide notes addressed to his partner, daughter, and lawyer. His suicide was marked by religious references, including a Bible verse written in blood on his cell wall.
Hernandez’s troubled life was further complicated by a history of childhood trauma, including alleged molestation and domestic violence. Medical findings posthumously revealed that Hernandez suffered from severe brain damage, likely caused by repeated head injuries from his football career. The discovery shed light on the potential link between NFL players and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.
Despite legal complexities surrounding his conviction, Hernandez’s guilt was ultimately reaffirmed in 2019. His tragic story highlighted the tumultuous life of a once-promising athlete, plagued by personal struggles and a tragic end.