Childhood and Education Journey of Aaron Hernandez in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Aaron Hernandez. A timeline of key moments.

Aaron Hernandez was a professional American football player, a tight end for the New England Patriots. His promising career was cut short when he was arrested and subsequently convicted for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Hernandez's case garnered significant media attention due to his celebrity status and the shocking nature of the crime. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. While in prison, he was also indicted but later acquitted for a separate double murder. In 2017, Hernandez committed suicide in his prison cell. Posthumous examination of his brain revealed severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1986: Parents' Marriage

In 1986, Aaron Hernandez's parents, Dennis Hernandez and Terri Valentine Hernandez, were married.

November 6, 1989: Aaron Hernandez Born

On November 6, 1989, Aaron Josef Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Parents' Divorce

In 1991, Aaron Hernandez's parents, Dennis Hernandez and Terri Valentine Hernandez, divorced.

1996: Parents' Remarriage

In 1996, Aaron Hernandez's parents, Dennis Hernandez and Terri Valentine Hernandez, remarried.

1999: Parents' Bankruptcy

In 1999, Aaron Hernandez's parents filed for bankruptcy.

January 2006: Death of Dennis Hernandez

In January 2006, when Aaron Hernandez was 16 years old, his father, Dennis Hernandez, died from complications following hernia surgery. This event heavily impacted Hernandez.

2006: Knocked Unconscious

During one game in 2006, Aaron Hernandez took a blindside hit to the head so hard that he was knocked out cold and had to be taken off the field in an ambulance.

April 28, 2007: Hernandez Involved in Altercation at Restaurant

On April 28, 2007, a 17-year-old Aaron Hernandez consumed alcohol and assaulted a restaurant employee in Gainesville, Florida, rupturing his eardrum after refusing to pay the bill, while with Tim Tebow.

September 30, 2007: Shooting Incident in Gainesville

On September 30, 2007, a shooting occurred in Gainesville, Florida, where five shots were fired at a car containing Randall Carson, Justin Glass, and Corey Smith. Smith was shot in the head, and Glass was shot in the arm. Carson identified Hernandez in a police lineup.

2007: Started Three Games for Florida Gators

As a freshman in 2007, Aaron Hernandez started three games for the Florida Gators and finished the season with nine receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

2007: Hernandez Begins Dating Shayanna Jenkins

In 2007, Aaron Hernandez began dating Shayanna Jenkins, whom he had known since elementary school.

2007: Hernandez Initially Identified in 2007 Shooting

In 2007, Aaron Hernandez was initially identified as the shooter in a shooting in Gainesville, Florida, but the identification was later recanted, and he was not charged at the time.

2008: Starting Role after Injury

During the 2008 season, Aaron Hernandez started eleven of thirteen games in place of the injured Cornelius Ingram and finished the season with 34 receptions for 381 yards and five touchdowns.

2009: BCS National Championship Game Win

In 2009, Aaron Hernandez won the BCS National Championship Game while playing college football for the Florida Gators, earning first-team All-American honors.

2009: John Mackey Award

In 2009, as a junior, Aaron Hernandez won the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end after leading the team in receptions. He was also a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and a first-team All-American.

January 6, 2010: Declared for NFL Draft

On January 6, 2010, Aaron Hernandez announced his decision to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

March 17, 2010: Florida's Pro Day

On March 17, 2010, Aaron Hernandez participated at Florida's pro day and performed all of the combine drills.

April 27, 2010: Reported Marijuana Use

On April 27, 2010, it was reported that Aaron Hernandez admitted to scouts at the NFL Combine that he had a history of marijuana use and had failed multiple drug tests in college.

June 8, 2010: Signed by Patriots

On June 8, 2010, the Patriots signed Aaron Hernandez to a four-year, $2.37 million contract with a $200,000 signing bonus.

September 19, 2010: 101 Receiving Yards

On September 19, 2010, Aaron Hernandez had six receptions for 101 receiving yards during a loss to the New York Jets. He became the youngest player since 1960 to achieve this milestone.

November 7, 2010: First Career Touchdowns

On November 7, 2010, Aaron Hernandez caught five passes for 48 yards and scored the first two touchdowns of his NFL career during a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

December 19, 2010: Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

On December 19, 2010, Aaron Hernandez had four catches for 31 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Green Bay Packers, earning him the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award.

2010: Meyer's Decision

After Hernandez's junior year in 2010, Meyer told him that he would not be welcome back for a fourth year, and that he would have to try to get picked up by a professional team in the 2010 NFL draft.

2010: Drafted by New England Patriots

In 2010, Aaron Hernandez was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

2010: Named Third Tight End

Throughout the 2010 training camp, Aaron Hernandez competed to be a starting tight end and was eventually named the third tight end on the Patriots depth chart.

January 16, 2011: First Career Playoff Game

On January 16, 2011, Aaron Hernandez started in his first career playoff game, catching one pass for four yards in a loss against the New York Jets.

February 21, 2011: Hip Surgery

On February 21, 2011, it was reported that Aaron Hernandez had undergone hip surgery after injuring it in Week 15.

April 30, 2011: Police Respond to Fight at Hernandez's Townhouse

On April 30, 2011, police responded to a fight in front of Aaron Hernandez's rented townhouse in Plainville, Massachusetts. Earlier, a state trooper pulled over a car with Hernandez as a passenger, going 120 mph, but did not arrest the driver because he recognized Hernandez.

2011: Jenkins Moves In with Hernandez

In 2011, Shayanna Jenkins moved in with Aaron Hernandez during his second season with the Patriots.

July 16, 2012: Double Homicide Near Cure Lounge

On July 16, 2012, Daniel Jorge Correia de Abreu and Safiro Teixeira Furtado were killed by gunshots fired into their vehicle near the Cure Lounge in Boston's South End. Aaron Hernandez was investigated in connection with the double homicide.

2012: Birth of Daughter and Engagement

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez and Shayanna Jenkins' daughter Avielle was born, and the couple became engaged in the same month.

2012: Hernandez Keeps Secret Apartment

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez kept a second apartment secret from his fiancée where he stored drugs and weapons. He told his agent he got his respect through weapons.

2012: Indicted for Double Homicide

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez was indicted for the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado while on trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

2012: Bradley Witness to Boston Double Homicide

In 2012, Alexander Bradley was reportedly a witness to the Boston double homicide.

January 2013: Bradley Arrested for Drunk Driving

In January 2013, Alexander Bradley was arrested for drunk driving after being pulled over, and Aaron Hernandez tried to intervene by saying, "Trooper, I am Aaron Hernandez. It's okay."

February 13, 2013: Bradley Shot in the Face

On February 13, 2013, Alexander Bradley was shot in the face during a trip, resulting in the loss of his right eye. Bradley claimed Aaron Hernandez pointed a gun at his face, and the next morning, Bradley was found bleeding from a bullet hole between his eyes.

February 2013: Hernandez and Bradley at Strip Club

In February 2013, Aaron Hernandez, Alexander Bradley, and others visited a Florida strip club, where Hernandez became paranoid, thinking two men were plainclothes Boston police officers investigating the double murder outside the Cure Lounge.

June 13, 2013: Bradley Files Civil Lawsuit Against Hernandez

On June 13, 2013, Alexander Bradley filed a civil lawsuit for damages against Aaron Hernandez in a Florida federal court, which he later withdrew.

September 3, 2013: Hernandez Requests Postponement in Bradley Lawsuit

On September 3, 2013, Aaron Hernandez's lawyers filed a postponement request in federal court for the Bradley lawsuit until his murder charges were resolved.

2013: Authorities Reinvestigate 2007 Shooting

Due to Aaron Hernandez's 2013 arrest and subsequent conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Massachusetts authorities contacted police in Florida to reinvestigate whether Hernandez was suspected to have a role in the 2007 shooting.

2013: Hernandez's Trip to California and Erratic Behavior

In 2013, Aaron Hernandez traveled to California with Shayanna Jenkins and their daughter for shoulder surgery. During this time, Jenkins made two police calls within a week, alleging Hernandez was drunk and violent, including an incident where he broke a window. Reports from Hernandez's brother and friends mentioned the presence of drugs and guns in the rented apartment. D.J. Hernandez found his brother on the roof one night, appearing defeated and handling a gun.

2013: Arrested for Murder of Odin Lloyd

In 2013, Aaron Hernandez was arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player. Following the arrest, the Patriots released Hernandez.

2013: Increasing Paranoia and Security Measures

In 2013, D.J. described Aaron Hernandez as growing increasingly paranoid, believing the FBI and others were after him. He slept with a knife, collected weapons, hired a bodyguard after the shooting of Alexander Bradley, and installed a surveillance system. Hernandez requested a trade to a team on the other side of the country, but the request was denied.

May 15, 2014: Hernandez Indicted for Double Homicide

On May 15, 2014, Aaron Hernandez was indicted on murder charges for the killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, with additional charges of armed assault and attempted murder.

May 11, 2015: Hernandez Indicted for Witness Intimidation

On May 11, 2015, Aaron Hernandez was indicted for witness intimidation in relation to the Alexander Bradley shooting, carrying a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, since Bradley was reportedly a witness to the 2012 Boston double homicide.

2015: Conviction for Odin Lloyd's Murder

In 2015, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder in the Odin Lloyd case and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

February 2016: Hernandez Reaches Settlement with Bradley

In February 2016, Aaron Hernandez reached a settlement with Alexander Bradley over the lawsuit regarding the shooting. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

March 1, 2017: Double Homicide Trial Begins

On March 1, 2017, Aaron Hernandez's trial began for the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. The prosecution's case heavily relied on testimony by Alexander Bradley.

April 14, 2017: Hernandez Acquitted of Murder Charges

On April 14, 2017, Aaron Hernandez was acquitted of the murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado but was found guilty of illegal possession of a handgun.