Hernandez Conned Everyone, Not Just The Team

[grux]

He sure had me fooled. It makes me sick that I cheered for his td's and paid money to watch him play. I feel a little better that the Krafts released him and are allowing the fans to trade in his jersey.

 

[Jackson 2]

As I was out and about yesterday, had the misfortune of listening to Mustard and Johnson, and a they entertained a caller that demanded that Kraft and Belichick come back from their vacations and address this matter via a press conference. Of course they followed along, and agreed, it was as though Kraft and BB were elected officials and we had a right to know what they knew.

Then they started to rant and rave about how if Seymour was on this team none of this would happen as he was part of the "Patriot Way", i.e. some type of enforcer. Then one of them lamented how the darkest day for the Patriots was the time that BB "benched" Seymour because he missed a friday practice after the death of his grandfather.

Of course the latter is pure hysteria and a lie, Seymour did miss the Friday practice after his grandfather's funeral, and did not start the game.. but came in on the third defensive series and was a huge force. At that time there was the mantra that no one player was bigger than the team, and this rule applied to everyone who missed a Friday practice..

So the mediots continue to lament the loss of the Patriot Way, their creation, and then criticize it because it was used effectively... this whole matter is getting dumbed down daily on the airwaves...

Your first mistake was listening to that show. I arrived at the beach in RI about noon, turned in the radio on my iPod and heard them. 1.56 seconds - right to music.

 

[grux]

Read that, is it a lifestyles of the rich and famous situation??.. or is this his hangout for his babes on the side.

Feel kind of bad for his long time girlfriend, and his daughter who will never get to know her father except behind some glass..

He had some very slick tendencies, read where the Attleboro home is owned by a LLC.. so may have done something similar with the condo. Not sure how deep the NFL and Patriots Security investigate, and that may change.

I feel bad for his daughter but have a hard time believing his girlfriend didn't know he was involved in a gang.

 

[vyrago]

Are Mustard and Johnson the stupidest Patriots talking heads, or am I mishearing them and their middle school moralizing is philosophical brilliance, too complicated for my tiny brain?

 

[Raymond]

........... Even after this many days, it still shocks me to the core that this happened, that AH actually chose this path willingly. It's just Unfrigginbelievable and something that just seems so implausible that blaming anyone for 'not knowing' is futile.

Exactly. I also think AH's ability to stay of of trouble for three entire seasons kept him completely off of anybody's radar. His comments in his contract signing last August ( I can't seem to find them now.) about being a role model for young Hispanic's, proud to be part of the Patriot way, etc. clearly don't seem like something a man moonlighting as a wanna be Good Fellas character would say.

I'll also concur, Unfrigginbelievable.

 

[DarrylS]

I feel bad for his daughter but have a hard time believing his girlfriend didn't know he was involved in a gang.

Not sure what you mean by "gang", he was involved with a group of thugs. Initial reports are that the oldest one has no record. So far he has not been linked to any formal gangs.. but could be wrong, as Mass Corrections people are analyzing them.

Without regard for whether his GF knew or did not know, she is still facing raising a child with no father, and probably when all is said and done no financial resources...

 

[Raymond]

Are Mustard and Johnson the stupidest Patriots talking heads, or am I mishearing them and their middle school moralizing is philosophical brilliance, too complicated for my tiny brain?

Yes. I happened to turn them on in the car yesterday for five long minutes. They were of course talking this subject. I could actually feel the brain cells in my head dying.

 

[Off The Grid]

Good points. BB is considered an automaton by many, and sometimes for good reason, but I also have my suspicion that he is bothered by this one, a lot.

However, I doubt Urban Meyer has dropped in BB's eyes. If he did, doesn't BB have to blame himself too? They both had AH for 3 years. And arguably BB and his far greater resources of the NE Patriots should have known more about AH -- if knowing was even possible within reason.

I know it is normal for people to think (not aimed at you) "how could (fill in the blank) not know something??". I just think this is one, largely, that is a HUGELY rare oddity.

AH is given adulation by hundreds of thousands, his name is known in every corner of the country (at least in NFL circles), probably a season away from being wanted for a 'dancing with the stars' or some dopey TV thing like that, given many millions of $$$$ to live the dream opulent lifestyle, and he made a choice to live as a cold blooded, gangland like, executioner?

Even after this many days, it still shocks me to the core that this happened, that AH actually chose this path willingly. It's just Unfrigginbelievable and something that just seems so implausible that blaming anyone for 'not knowing' is futile.

Good GOD, man.

You are seriously ROLLING, lately!!

I'm gonna have to put you in my "Find More Posts By..." Club!! Rock ON, Brother Straggler!! :rocker:

 

[AzorianPats]

Good points. BB is considered an automaton by many, and sometimes for good reason, but I also have my suspicion that he is bothered by this one, a lot.
However, I doubt Urban Meyer has dropped in BB's eyes. If he did, doesn't BB have to blame himself too? They both had AH for 3 years. And arguably BB and his far greater resources of the NE Patriots should have known more about AH -- if knowing was even possible within reason.
I know it is normal for people to think (not aimed at you) "how could (fill in the blank) not know something??". I just think this is one, largely, that is a HUGELY rare oddity. AH is given adulation by hundreds of thousands, his name is known in every corner of the country (at least in NFL circles), probably a season away from being wanted for a 'dancing with the stars' or some dopey TV thing like that, given many millions of $$$$ to live the dream opulent lifestyle, and he made a choice to live as a cold blooded, gangland like, executioner? Even after this many days, it still shocks me to the core that this happened, that AH actually chose this path willingly. It's just Unfrigginbelievable and something that just seems so implausible that blaming anyone for 'not knowing' is futile.

I too don't believe anyone knew AH was capable of this. I was just referring to Cunningham and Spikes failed drug tests, Jeff Demps not fully committed to the game, and of course now this.

Count me in as one of those that are bummed about this....still. I loved the way he played the game, and how a guy his speed and size was a nightmare for defenses. Just awful

 

[fnordcircle]

So the mediots continue to lament the loss of the Patriot Way, their creation, and then criticize it because it was used effectively... this whole matter is getting dumbed down daily on the airwaves...

Yeah, Big Sey was everything that embodied the Patriot Way fable. Like when he gallantly and unselfishly stepped on Tarik Glenn's facemask. I was so proud that day.

Branch talked about this stuff with Aaron a bit, seems like he's truly shocked.

Branch on

“Aaron is a great guy and a great friend of mine and a great teammate,” Branch told The Herald “I love him to death, and it was shocking to hear his name involved in this situation. I truly hope and pray he doesn’t have any dealings with it.”

 

[DarrylS]

Yeah, Big Sey was everything that embodied the Patriot Way fable. Like when he gallantly and unselfishly stepped on Tarik Glenn's facemask. I was so proud that day.

Branch talked about this stuff with Aaron a bit, seems like he's truly shocked.

Branch on

Just goes to show that if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes true.. or everything is rosier in that rear view mirror.

Your article is somewhat funny, as it claims that Branch is in the "minority".. when it only refers to the comments of him and Matt Light.. maybe my math is off, but that is 50-50.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

it still shocks me to the core that this happened, that AH actually chose this path willingly.

Here's one of the few things I'm still truly willing to give Hernandez the benefit of the doubt on.

We don't really know when he crossed the line from "hanging out with thugs" to becoming a felon. So we can't really say, with 100% certainty, that he "chose this path willingly." I'm still willing to believe that this could be a Greek tragedy of poor choices spiraling out of control rather than Hernandez choosing to do all of these things.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The contract and money thing is a real mess at this point. It's funny you mention "claw back" because it appears that is not only what the Patriots will do but also make AH do it too. The Patriots voided the entire AH contract. Unfortunately, if reports are correct, AH earns his signing bonus simply by signing on the dotted line. With part of that signing bonus deferred (I think 2.5 million), it very well could be the Patriots will eventually have to pay him that unless the CBA has language that voids signing bonus. Yet as mentioned, and rightly so, the Patriots are going to make him claw his way to that remaining signing bonus through legal means. Yet as brutally tough a pill as it will be to swallow this -- and it will be brutal -- I suspect the Patriots will lose that one in court. Let's hope it's a check that goes from the Patriot's pocket right into the Lloyd family pocket.

Of course this speaks to actual cash. I'm sure Kraft would like the cash back but we're speaking of regaining the cap space. Yet again another brutal pill to swallow, I have my doubts about getting back any cap space taken up by the signing bonus. I hope I am wrong. I hope there was an avenue included in the CBA to allow at least the most violent felonies to void singing bonuses, I just have my doubts. As for the guaranteed salary part, I assume that was an on the roster guarantee. If not I assume it still is not treated like a signing bonus and there are avenues to get that back/avoid paying it/not taking a cap hit.

FWIW, as I understand it, the only cap hits currently left for Hernandez are from his signing bonus. The $3.25M he's still owed still appears, so I would presume that if they can avoid paying him that, it will then appear as a credit in future years. However, his guaranteed salaries for 2013 and 2014 are no longer part of the cap.

The Patriots believe that because they fired him for conduct detrimental, they are no longer obligated to make any more payments to him, and are entitled to fight for all of his remaining signing bonus (i.e., everything except the prorationed $2.5M that he earned in 2012, which even the forfeitable breach clause says cannot be recovered).

Hernandez, in theory at least, can try to fight to get them back, but the Patriots clearly have the upper hand in that fight in the sense that it's really, really hard to see the NFLPA coming to bat for Hernandez in this case (the PR optics of the situation are simply horrible).

 

[Jackson 2]

Are Mustard and Johnson the stupidest Patriots talking heads, or am I mishearing them and their middle school moralizing is philosophical brilliance, too complicated for my tiny brain?

They're DBs, and I don't mean defensive backs.

 

[Jackson 2]

As I was out and about yesterday, had the misfortune of listening to Mustard and Johnson, and a they entertained a caller that demanded that Kraft and Belichick come back from their vacations and address this matter via a press conference. Of course they followed along, and agreed, it was as though Kraft and BB were elected officials and we had a right to know what they knew.

Then they started to rant and rave about how if Seymour was on this team none of this would happen as he was part of the "Patriot Way", i.e. some type of enforcer. Then one of them lamented how the darkest day for the Patriots was the time that BB "benched" Seymour because he missed a friday practice after the death of his grandfather.

Of course the latter is pure hysteria and a lie, Seymour did miss the Friday practice after his grandfather's funeral, and did not start the game.. but came in on the third defensive series and was a huge force. At that time there was the mantra that no one player was bigger than the team, and this rule applied to everyone who missed a Friday practice..

So the mediots continue to lament the loss of the Patriot Way, their creation, and then criticize it because it was used effectively... this whole matter is getting dumbed down daily on the airwaves...

World War I folklore has it that a green US recruit asked his commanding officer what he could do in combat to avoid being stricken by German mustard gas. Supposedly, his CO replied, "Stay away from it." The same advice might apply to Mustard's show.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Ironically, horribly tragic and just freakin sad beyond words...

Less than 10 months ago:

Aaron Hernandez says Belichick and “the Patriot way” changed him | ProFootballTalk

“You get changed by the Bill Belichick way, you get changed by the Patriot Way,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez seemed particularly touched that Patriots owner Robert Kraft thought he was worth a long-term investment, and to show his appreciation Hernandez donated $50,000 to the Myra Kraft Giving Back Fund.

“I said, ‘Aaron, you don’t have to do this. You’ve already got your contract,’” Kraft said. “He said, ‘No, it makes me feel good and I want to do it.’ And that made me feel good.”

Everyone in New England is feeling good about Hernandez’s future with the Patriots.

Want to get further depressed? Read the comments and all the "thumbs up" at the end.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ironically, horribly tragic and just freakin sad beyond words...

Less than 10 months ago:

Aaron Hernandez says Belichick and “the Patriot way” changed him | ProFootballTalk



Want to get further depressed? Read the comments and all the "thumbs up" at the end.

This is the essence of a Greek tragedy where the hero succumbs to a fatal flaw

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

This is the essence of a Greek tragedy where the hero succumbs to a fatal flaw

Maybe I misunderstand the essence of a Greek tragedy. I thought the hero successfully overcomes the various and severe hardships of a long journey only to be brought down by the whim of fate. If so, while I suppose AH could have got wrapped up in the environment and simply succumbed to the inertia of it, AH appears to have been a very willing participant in his downfall. The tools he was provided with, money/security/highly disciplined work environment, gave him much more than a longshot's chance to thrive, not fall.
At least to me he is not an uncontrollable pawn of the whim of fate, not by a lot IMHO.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Good GOD, man.

You are seriously ROLLING, lately!!

I'm gonna have to put you in my "Find More Posts By..." Club!! Rock ON, Brother Straggler!! :rocker:

I've been on the wagon for the last week. Who woulda thunk that might be a positive thing?

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

FWIW, as I understand it, the only cap hits currently left for Hernandez are from his signing bonus. The $3.25M he's still owed still appears, so I would presume that if they can avoid paying him that, it will then appear as a credit in future years. However, his guaranteed salaries for 2013 and 2014 are no longer part of the cap.

The Patriots believe that because they fired him for conduct detrimental, they are no longer obligated to make any more payments to him, and are entitled to fight for all of his remaining signing bonus (i.e., everything except the prorationed $2.5M that he earned in 2012, which even the forfeitable breach clause says cannot be recovered).

Hernandez, in theory at least, can try to fight to get them back, but the Patriots clearly have the upper hand in that fight in the sense that it's really, really hard to see the NFLPA coming to bat for Hernandez in this case (the PR optics of the situation are simply horrible).

Let me just say I hope you're absolutely correct. I was posting under the guise that a signing bonus is all but etched in stone (with only 'prior to signing' falsehoods being the way it could be voided). However, I think I may be wrong about that. I had recalled Atlanta trying to get back money from Vick after he was jailed. I went and looked it up and found the ruling. While the federal judge's ruling was a bit complex/not cut and dry, it appears that a signing bonus can be recovered as per the CBA. Now whether the rule governing Vick's case will also govern AH? I assume so but I don't know.