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SPORTS Friday 22 September 2017

Aaron Hernandez

Continued from Page 18 “If we have to be ground-
breakers in this area, it’s
“Defendants were fully something we’re prepared
aware of the dangers of to do,” he said.
exposing NFL players, such Hernandez committed sui-
as Aaron, to repeated trau- cide just hours before his
matic head impacts,” the former teammates visited
lawsuit said. the White House to cel-
“Yet, defendants con- ebrate their latest Super
cealed and misrepresent- Bowl victory and a week
ed the risks of repeated after he was acquitted in
traumatic head impacts.” the 2012 drive-by shootings
NFL spokesman Brian Mc- of two men in Boston.
Carthy said the league had Prosecutors had argued
not yet seen the lawsuit that Hernandez gunned
and could not comment. A the two men down after
Patriots spokesman did not one accidentally spilled a
immediately respond to drink on him in a nightclub,
a message seeking com- and then got a tattoo of In this April 14, 2017 file photo, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez reacts
to his double murder acquittal after the sixth day of jury deliberations at Suffolk Superior Court in
ment. a handgun and the words Boston.
The league recently agreed “God Forgives” to com-
to pay $1 billion to retired memorate the crime. round of the NFL draft be- tight end duos in NFL his- killing of semi-pro football
players who claimed it mis- Hernandez did not raise cause of trouble in college tory. In 2011, his second player Odin Lloyd, who was
led them about the dan- CTE in his defense at either that included a failed drug season, Hernandez caught dating the sister of Hernan-
gers of playing football. trial because he claimed test and a bar fight. 79 passes for 910 yards and dez’s fiancée.
The “loss of consortium” actual innocence. His name had also come seven touchdowns to help Hernandez was convicted
lawsuit filed on Thursday is “It’s something I deeply re- up in an investigation into a the team reach the Su- and sentenced to life in
independent of the class- gret,” Baez said. shooting. per Bowl, and he was re- prison; the conviction was
action suit that began A star for the University In three seasons with the warded with a $40 million voided because he died
making payments this sum- of Florida when it won Patriots, Hernandez joined contract.But the Patriots re- before his appeals were ex-
mer. Baez said it was the the 2008 title, Hernandez Rob Gronkowski to form leased him in 2013, shortly hausted, though that ruling
first of its kind. dropped to the fourth one of the most potent after he was arrested in the is itself being appealed.q
Report: NFL players ask league to support campaign

By The Associated Press money, political involve- NFL receiver Anquan
A group of current and ment and other commit- Boldin co-authored the
former NFL players has ments from the league. letter.
asked Commissioner It also asked the NFL to The NFL declined com-
Roger Goodell for the recognize the month of ment when asked
league’s support for November as activism about the memo by Ya-
their campaign for ra- awareness month. hoo Sports.
cial equality and crimi- The website reports The players behind the
nal justice reform. Wednesday night Se- letter didn’t return re-
Yahoo Sports reports the attle defensive end quests for comment
players sent a 10-page Michael Bennett, Phila- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, speaks with former NFL or declined to speak
memo to Goodell and delphia safety Malcolm player Michael Vick on the turf before the first of an NFL football about it, the website
NFL executive Troy Vin- Jenkins and receiver game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers, said.q
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta.
cent in August asking for Torrey Smith, and former Associated Press