Color me surprised. Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. I and many other fans of the sport of Football (and fans of justice) have waited two years to read that verdict. I didn't think it would ever come.
I'm not surprised by the verification of Hernandez' guilt. It was fairly obvious from the limited amount of pre-trial information released that he was guilty as hell. He is a thug, a talented parasite, a murderer. What surprises me is that a jury had the conviction and courage to judge a "big man" and find him guilty. Just as the 'Important people' have convinced many that our votes don't matter and that we are too ignorant to comprehend weighty matters of governance, high priced lawyers have done a terrific job of convincing people that we are not worthy to judge the actions of another, especially if that other is rich. With alarming frequency, high profile cases have been deemed too difficult for the hoi-poloi to make comment on, and vile people have gone without punishment. Hernandez entered this saga with a substantial war-chest , a $12 million signing bonus from Robert Kraft. Kraft handed Hernandez a giant check, calling him an exemplar of the model NFL player. No. He's a murderer, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Kraft isn't the only dupe, just more imbecilic that most. Urban Meyer, coach of the newly crowned first college champion team Ohio State, knew of Hernandez's troubled psyche when he was at Florida. That's why he tried to form a bond between the tight-end and Touchdown Jesus, Tim Tebow. Bill Belichick knew that Hernandez was trouble, but like all 'good' NFL coaches, he didn't care as long as Aaron performed on Sundays. Even Roger Goodell was made aware of Aaron's off field issues, but as long as the viewing public wasn't concerned he wasn't going to come down with an unfair and ham-handed edict. All were concerned that Hernandez was going to be a STAR. Odin Lloyd was picked up from his home, driven to an empty lot, made to kneel on asphalt and shot in the back of the head by a 'star'.
As I pointed out in my post about Super Bowl 49, Kraft asked for 20 seconds to spew patriotic self-worship should his team win. If they had lost, according to Kraft, would we all be terrist-sympathizers who hate Patriotism? Would he have had the balls to take 20 seconds and say that? No. He cut Hernandez loose at the first hint of public outcry against a vile crime. I suppose I should commend him for doing so, him having already paid for the rich man defense fund. Ultimately, though, what I and most fans want is justice from a just league supporting an honest game. I'd didn't think we'd see it. But I'm happier today that we have.
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