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Aaron Hernandez’s Fiancée, Daughter Share Rare Tribute to Late NFL Player
Rob Gronkowski isn’t sidelining this hearsay.
The 36-year-old recently addressed his relationship with the late Aaron Hernandez, his former Patriots teammate who was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Odin Lloyd in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison.
And when a rumor was brought up that Aaron used to masturbate in team meetings, Rob pleaded the fifth.
“That’s a possibility, that one,” Rob hedged with a laugh during a May 20 appearance on Bussin’ With The Boys. “I may or may not have seen it life. I’m not going to confirm or deny.”
The former tight end added, “I mean I love crazy s--t though, so I didn’t mind things like that. I was like, ‘Wow, that was pretty epic.’ I was a wild man myself, so nothing phased me.”
Rob also detailed the bond he and Aaron had shared on the field, having joined the Patriots at the same time.
“We were the best combination at the tight end position of all time,” he said. “And that second year proves it. I mean we had like what—2,300 yards combined and like 28 touchdowns between just him and I, including playoffs and regular season. That's unheard of.”
Yet, amid it all, there was a lot of “craziness,” he conceded. “I didn’t see it going to that level. I didn’t see that happening.”
Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
And indeed, in 2013 Aaron was arrested and later charged with the first-degree murder of Odin, who had been dating the younger sister of Aaron’s fiancée Shayanna Jenkins. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Two years after being convicted, Aaron died in an apparent suicide.
Rob recounted his feelings after learning of Aaron’s arrest and later charges, sharing he was both surprised and shocked.
“Sad,” he added. “A little bit like, ‘No, no way.’ Also disappointed, you know? Like why would you do that? We got the whole world in front of us. Especially you and I as a tandem, we got the best team out there, everything. So, it was shocking.”
Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images
He continued, “It’s unfortunate, what happened. ‘Cause the talent was just through the roof. And if we could have kept our tandem going, we could have been just truly unstoppable.”
Earlier this year, Aaron’s former fiancée Shayanna shared a tribute to the late athlete, photoshopping his face onto an image of their now-12-year-old daughter Avielle in church.
Shayanna captioned the March 22 post, shared almost eight years after Aaron’s death, “Celebrated our love for you privately, never forgotten always embraced.”
For more on Aaron and Shayanna’s relationship keep reading.
On the first anniversary of Aaron Hernandez's death, fiancée Shayanna Jenkins paid tribute to her love, who died by suicide in 2017 while serving a life sentence for murder.
"I remember getting a call saying you had passed," she wrote at the time. "Dropping the phone and crying uncontrollably I didn’t know what to do . I wanted to get to you as fast as I knew how so you weren’t alone anymore . This was by far the worst day of my life especially when things were looking better."
Acknowledging their daughter Avielle, now 11, she continued, "I’ve suffered hurt , sadness and definitely anger BUT I’ve had this little girl to make my spirits higher . Although , I hurt today and continue to figure this thing called 'life' out ... we will celebrate your life with love , joy and happiness."
Shayanna and her baby girl proudly wore Patriots' jersey. Aaron served as tight end for the New England team from 2010 to 2012.
For Shayanna, Aaron's legacy continues to grow stronger every day.
"You’ve touched more people’s hearts than I’ve ever seen - not just from your smile but you being you," she wrote in 2018. "I thank you for showing me things I’d never get to experience in life and creating a better one for your daughter and I ... I thank you for allowing me to share all of our experiences and create new memories with this precious princess . Your legacy will live on , until we meet again ... WE love you very very much."
"It takes as long as it takes .I will always wake up everyday only to remember you are not here and have to feel that ache all over again," Shayanna captioned a selfie of her and Aaron. "You are truly loved & missed."
She described her love as "beautiful inside and out."
For Shayanna, there's no denying who her daughter takes after: "Daddy’s twin !"
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