Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez already is behaving like everyone else in jail: He’s claiming he didn’t do it.
In a letter written by Hernandez and sent to a fan who is corresponding with the fallen NFL star, Hernandez says he is “NOT GUILTY.” (Not to be confused with “absolutely, 100 percent not guilty.”)
The letter, obtained by TMZ and verified as legitimate, was sent to a fan named “Karl” who wrote Hernandez first.
Here’s the full text of the response from Hernandez:
“Your letter meant alot and was very true! I know everything happens for a reason and I know ‘God’ has a plan for me and something good will come out of this. The world just makes things out of false accusations and it will all die down especially when they say NOT GUILTY and all the people who turned on me will feel like crap. I’ve always been a great person an[d] known for having an amazing heart! I am a strong person and nothing will break me! A C.O. [correctional officer] will never nor can they say now for one day have I been down or not with a smile on my face. I know there is a reason I’m going thru this and I will figure it out through my relationship with the Lord. I fell off especially after making all that money but when its all said and done ‘God’ put me in the situation for a reason. I’m humbled by this ALREADY and this will change me forever. At least I’ll know my true supporters. Thanks for being one of them!”
Hernandez then signs his name, with an 81, and adds: “Can’t wait to sign this again when I’m playing again an[d] prove all the haters and down talkers WRONG.”
At the bottom, Hernandez writes, “Keep this off social media PLEASE!”
In fairness to Karl, giving (selling?) the letter to TMZ doesn’t constitute putting the letter on social media.
The letter from Hernandez doesn’t contain any new revelations, nor does it attempt to provide an alternative explanation as to how a guy who was with Hernandez in the final minutes of his life ended up dead less than a mile from Hernandez’s house, if Hernandez if, as he puts it, “NOT GUILTY.”