Aaron Hernandez is a tight end for the New England Patriots of the NFL. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He is from Bristol Connecticut, played tight end for Bristol Central High School and for the Florida Gators. During high school Hernandez set a state record for most touchdowns in a career as well as most receptions and yards in a season. Hernandez played three seasons at Florida and majored in Social and Behavioral Sciences. In 2007, Hernandez was Honorable Freshman All-American. In 2009, Hernandez was named first team All-American by the Sporting News and the Associated Press. Hernandez finished his collegiate career with 111 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=120

On April 27, the Associated Press reported that Aaron Hernandez admitted to teammates that he violated the substance abuse policy once in college and expressed his regret. He denied that he failed the test more than once.http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5141043 On June 9, The Boston Globe reported that the New England Patriots signed Hernandez to a contract, the fourth of the team's 2010 picks to be signed.http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2010/06/09/patriots_sign_up_tight_end_hernandez/

Aaron Hernandez started 13 games for the Gators during the 2009 season. He won the John Mackey Award for the best collegiate tight end. He became the first Florida Gator and first SEC member to win the award. In addition, Hernandez was named to the First Team All-SEC by the Associated Press. His best collegiate game was at the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati where he caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He finished the season first on the team in catches, second in yards and average yards per game.http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=120

Hernandez started eleven games during the 2008 season. He scored five touchdowns during the season, which was first in the SEC by a tight end. In the BCS National Championship Game against the Oklahoma, Hernandez lead the team in receptions and yards. For the season, Aaron Hernandez caught 34 passes for 381 yards.http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=120

Aaron Hernandez was a freshman during the 2007 season. He started against Troy and was the first true freshman to start at tight end for the Gators since Tate Casey in 2004. Hernandez also started against Florida State and Michigan. For the season, Aaron Hernandez caught nine passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=120

"That’s the past. People will think what they want. I just come out here, like I said, every day, and I just keep fighting, and playing ball, and trying to become the best player I can be and help the team as much as I can." - Aaron Hernandez, about reports that he failed a drug test in collegehttp://www.nesn.com/2010/06/patriots-rookie-aaron-hernandez-mum-on-questions-about-failed-drug-test.html