Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was reportedly addicted to PCP, had a history of violence and drug abuse that NFL teams knew about and had run-ins with the police that were covered up by those around him.
Those are among the revelations in new Rolling Stone report, which explores how Hernandez went from high school football all-star to murder suspect. Hernandez is under indictment for a June murder, and has pleaded not guilty.
According to the expose, Hernandez’s troubles began when his father, Dennis, died in 2006. After Dennis’ death, Hernandez’s mother took up with a abusive coke dealer who moved into their house. Hernandez fell in with a rough crowd when he fled an increasingly violent home.
University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer attempted to “save” Hernandez in college by reading him scripture and assigning the famously religious quarterback Tim Tebow to be his “life instructor.” But Meyer also helped cover up Hernandez’s missteps, including failed drug tests, an incident of assault and a drive-by shooting, according to Rolling Stone. Meyer has not yet commented on those allegations, but has previously said his staff “worked very hard to mentor” Hernandez and that it’s “irresponsible” to blame them for his actions.
During his time at the Patriots, he missed practices and smoked “three or four blunts” on the drives home from games, friends told Rolling Stone. The Patriots, who released him after his murder arrest, were alerted every time Hernandez got in trouble with the police.