Who Is Aaron Hernandez? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Aaron Hernandez was born on November 6, 1989, making him 36 years old as of 2025. He is widely known for his stint as a professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL). Hernandez played as a tight end for the New England Patriots. His promising career was overshadowed by his conviction for murder, leading to his tragic passing in April 2017.
Occupation | Football Players |
---|---|
Date of Birth | November 6, 1989 |
Age | 27 Years |
Birth Place | Bristol, Connecticut, U.S. |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 19 April, 2017 |
Died Place | Leominster, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Popularity
Aaron Hernandez's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his playing days, Aaron Hernandez stood at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighed around 250 pounds (113 kg) during his NFL career. His athletic build allowed him to excel in football, showcasing both strength and agility on the field.
On December 19, 2010, Hernandez made four catches for 31 yards and caught two touchdown passes in the Patriots' 31–27 win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. His two-touchdown performance earned him the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. Hernandez was inactive for the last two games of the regular season (Weeks 16–17) due to a hip injury.
He finished his rookie season in 2010 with 45 receptions for 563 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions over 14 games with seven starts. Hernandez and Gronkowski began having success as Belichick increased the use of two tight end sets to capitalize on their exceptional receiving ability.
Together, they combined for 87 receptions for 1,109 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Aaron Hernandez had a complicated family life. He was engaged to Shayana Jenkins, with whom he had a daughter, Avielle Janelle Hernandez. Despite his troubled legal issues, Shayana stood by him for a significant time. As of 2025, Hernandez's past relationships and engagements are part of the discussions that focus on his life before his tragic demise.
During the 2013 offseason, Hernandez was arrested and charged for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée. Following his arrest, Hernandez was immediately released by the Patriots.
He was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. While on trial for Lloyd's murder, Hernandez was also indicted for the 2012 double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. He was acquitted after a 2017 trial.
Net Worth and Salary
At the peak of his career, Aaron Hernandez's net worth was estimated to be around $50 million, primarily from his NFL contracts and endorsements. However, post his conviction and subsequent death, much of this wealth was subject to legal battles and forfeitures. Today, in 2025, discussions about his earnings primarily center around his professional accolades and legal struggles rather than any current financial status, given his passing.
On June 8, 2010, the Patriots signed Hernandez to a four-year, $2.37 million contract that included a signing bonus of $200,000. The terms of his contract limited Hernandez's signing bonus to $200,000, which was less than half the signing bonus received by Patriots' fourth-round pick (118th overall) placekicker Stephen Gostkowski in 2006.
The Patriots declined to give Hernandez the expected $500,000 signing bonus as a precautionary measure. To compensate for the smaller signing bonus, he received a contract that included a series of roster and workout bonuses up to an additional $700,000.
If Hernandez reached all bonuses and escalators he could receive an annual salary comparable to a third-rounder, but would have to "walk the straight and narrow line to do so".
Career, Business, and Investments
Aaron Hernandez had a bright career ahead of him as a tight end for the New England Patriots from 2010 until 2012, where he participated in key games and contributed significantly to the team's success. He was known for his exceptional skills, securing a large contract with the team. However, his life took a dark turn due to his involvement in criminal activities and the subsequent murder conviction, which ultimately led to the end of his football career and his life. The time in prison brought no opportunities for business ventures or investments, severely affecting his legacy.
The 1,807 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns made by Hernandez were state records. Hernandez's 31 career touchdowns tied the state record. He also set the state record for receiving yards in a single game with 376, the seventh-best in national high school history; he set a national high school record for yards receiving per game with 180.7.
Hernandez was considered the top tight-end recruit in 2007 by Scout.com. He was not known for working hard as a child but, by high school, when he was nearly 6'2" tall, he worked harder than anyone else on the team. During one game in 2006, Hernandez took a blindside hit to the head so hard that he was knocked out cold.
An ambulance had to take him off the field.
Social Network
Aaron Hernandez’s social media presence was non-existent, especially in the context of his life after 2017. Before his downfall, he kept a relatively low-profile online presence. Posthumously, discussions and content about him often circulate on platforms like Twitter and various news outlets, leading to ongoing conversations about his impact on football and society at large.
Acquaintances described Hernandez as a follower who put himself in jeopardy by hanging out with a dangerous crowd. As a Patriot, Hernandez hired two of his friends from Bristol, both of whom had criminal records, as assistants. One of them, Alexander S. Bradley, was his drug dealer.
As Hernandez's assistant, Bradley's other duties included calming Hernandez down during fits of rage and paranoia, and obtaining weapons for him.
After his death, his high school teammate Dennis SanSoucie said that being drafted by the Patriots "was the worst thing the NFL could have done" because it put him back into close proximity to the criminal friends he had in Connecticut.
Education
Aaron Hernandez attended the University of Florida, where he played college football for the Gators. He was recognized for his talents on the field, which helped lead him to the NFL. His college education, however, was cut short due to his early entry into professional football following his junior year. Sadly, the controversies surrounding his life prevented a focus on any educational pursuits beyond his entry into the sports world.
In summary, Aaron Hernandez’s life story is a cautionary tale of talent overshadowed by tragedy. As we look to 2025, his legacy remains impactful in discussions regarding sports ethics, mental health, and the consequences of one’s actions on and off the field.
Hernandez played college football for the Florida Gators, earning first-team All-American honors and winning the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. Due to concerns towards his size and off the field incidents, he was not selected until the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Patriots at 20 years old.
Alongside teammate Rob Gronkowski, Hernandez formed one of the league's most dominant tight end duos, becoming the first pair to score at least five touchdowns each in consecutive seasons for the same team. He also made an appearance in Super Bowl XLVI.