Football coach Urban Meyer says Aaron Hernandez was treated like everyone else when he was a University of Florida athlete and that the college is blameless for the player’s alleged criminal activity.
Now the head man at Ohio State, Meyer coached the Gators when Hernandez was a member of the team and briefly has decided to break his silence about the Hernandez controversy. Meyer claims he tried to keep the gridiron star on the straight and narrow.
In texts to two news outlets, Meyers insisted that “I just received an email from a friend where there is an accusation of multiple failed drug tests by Hernandez covered up by University of Florida or the coaching staff. This is absolutely not true. Hernandez was held to the same drug testing policy as every other player.”
Added Meyer: “[Hernandez] was an athlete at Florida 4-7 yrs ago and there are some comments being made that are not correct. Our staff, myself, and our families worked very hard to mentor and guide him. Prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Relating or blaming these serious charges to Univ. of Florida, myself or our staff is wrong and irresponsible.”
Although many Florida players have had run-ins with the law during Meyer’s tenure, the star tight end and was never arrested during his time in Gainesville although according to AP , he was suspended for one game for a positive marijuana test.
The Gainesville Sun is now reporting that Hernandez — along with several other teammates — was questioned by local police in connection with a 2007 double shooting incident. Hernandez was a freshman at the time.
Aaron Hernandez , formerly of the New England Patriots, has been charged with murder and firearms violations in connection with the death of his friend Odin Lloyd, a semi-pro football player whose body was found in an industrial park near the NFL star’s home in North Attleboro, Mass., on June 17. He is currently being held without bail and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Hernandez is also reportedly under a separate criminal investigation for a 2012 drive-by double homicide in Boston last year. The ex-Pats tight end is also being sued in civil court for personal injuries for allegedly shooting a man in Florida after they argued in a Miami strip club.