As reported by IQ earlier today, Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was served a subpoena in the ongoing Aaron Hernandez case . The report first broke from Sports Illustrated , who reported that Pouncey had been served on Sunday following the Miami Dolphins loss to the New England Patriots in Foxborough, MA. Pouncey is being summoned to appear before a Massachusetts grand jury investigating former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez’s involvement in a gun ring.
According to Michael McCann of Sports Illustrated , the State of Massachusetts is interested in possible financial transactions that occurred between Pouncey and Hernandez. At this time it is unclear as to whether they are interested in Pouncey as a suspect or simply a key witness. No arrest has been made, but many are speculating that Mike Pouncey’s involvement may go farther than what is being reported at this time.
Pouncey and his brother Maurkice have known Aaron Hernandez since they played football together at the University of Florida. The brothers were in the news most recently for wearing “Free Hernandez” hats at their birthday (pictured above). At the time, Maurkice, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, apologized for not using better judgement. Mike Pouncey received a lot of attention for his unwillingness to offer the same apology.
Michael McCann helps breakdown the meaning of the subpoena and the potential effect it could have on Pouncey:
“Pouncey can respond to the subpoena in three ways: comply, object or ignore. If Pouncey complies with the subpoena, he would testify, under oath, and provide requested documents. One downside to compliance is that while Pouncey’s attorney could be with him during the grand jury proceeding, the lawyer could not raise objections. Grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret and are run by prosecutors, who decide which witnesses testify and which evidence jurors see. Neither Pouncey nor his attorney would be able to challenge any incriminating evidence, nor would they have an opportunity to confront the persons who may implicate Pouncey. Pouncey would have to answer questions truthfully or face the prospect of perjury charges.”
If Pouncey is found to be involved with Hernandez in the gun ring, it is certainly possible that other NFL players could be involved as well. The Aaron Hernandez case has garnered a great deal of media attention because Hernandez was regarded as one of the top up and coming tight ends in the NFL.