New England Patriots footballteamowner Robert Kraft walks through a hotel during a break in the NFL spring meeting in Boston, Tuesday, May 21, 2013.(Photo: Elise Amendola, AP)
New England Patriots team officials were shocked when Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder and not obstruction of justice, just nowfranchise brass already had decided to release him no matter what the charges were, according to a high-ranking team decision makerwho requested anonymity in a Boston musket ballreport.
The executive told the Globe on Friday that owner Robert Kraft and flingcoach Bill Belichick "had no inside knowledge" of the murder charges, justadded: "Did it matter to us? No. We were not going to havesomebodyon the team that's close to a murder."
MEMORIAL: Loved ones dream upOdin Lloyd
NEW JERSEY: Pats offer Hernandez swap
WIPED CLEAN: Hernandez career stats erased from website
Ninety minutes after Hernandez was arrested Wednesday morning, the Patriots cut him. At that time, the charges had not been made public, and many speculated that the Patriots quickly released Hernandez because they knew the charges would beto a greater extentheinous than obstruction of justice. It appears that wasn't the case.
NFL Players Association records show that the Patriots have voided aloneof Hernandez's remaining guaranteed money, which is $5.91 million. The hits on the Patriots salary cap will scoopat $2.55 million in 2013, then escalate until Hernandez's five-year castrateleaves the books in 2015.
Hernandez signed a five-year, $39.768 million extension in August 2012, with $16 million guaranteed. It included a $12.5 million signbonus, prorated over five years.
Hernandez has already collected roughly $10 million.
The Patriotsconsideran umbrella clause that allows a team to suspend a contract for "conduct detrimental to the best interests of professional football" will elapseHernandez from collecting any more money from the team.
"(The contract) was guaranteed for skill and injury, moreoverit wasn't guaranteed for personal conduct that cast the club in a negative light, and that's why we cut him," the executive told the Globe. "We know the CBA. Weargonwell within our rights."
Inquiries to the players union by USA right awaySports about whether it intends to fight for Hernandez's money have not been returned.
PHOTOS: The Aaron Hernandez saga
If you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page: How it works.
Materials taken from USA Today
0 comments:
Post a Comment