Aaron Hernandez, former tight end for the New England Patriots, hasn't played a snap since 2012. Instead, he sits in prison awaiting trial for the murder of a former associate, Odin Lloyd. Despite his inactivity he is still affecting players in the league.
Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, former teammates with the Florida Gators in college and current members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins respectively, are still taking heat for their support of Hernandez.
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"People judge us because of our tattoos and the way we party, but they aren't aware of the good things we do for our communities. All they see is the 'Free Hernandez' cap or that we're accused of beating someone up in a nightclub," Maurkice said ahead of the Steelers' Monday Night Football clash with the Tennessee Titans.
"They see us as gangsters and thugs, but we know who we are. Heck yeah, I made some stupid mistakes. I think the biggest thing is to own up to those mistakes. I decided I was going to change things, and I believe people accepted it."
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In July 2013 the Pounceys made waves by partying with matching "Free Hernandez" caps. A year later, the two brothers were accused of assaulting a man in the same nightclub where they were spotted sporting the "Free Hernandez" caps.
The alleged victim, a man named Ricky Vasquez, claimed he suffered a chipped tooth and a laceration that required 10 stitches. He also claimed that he was called an anti-gay slur during the incident.
Despite the negative press, Maurkice Pouncey denied being a bad person and vowed that he and his brother aren't changing their lifestyles to cater to how outsiders feel they should act.
"Mike and I aren't going to change because everyone else thinks we should change. We've been doing things the right way, but everybody has some slip-ups in life," he said. "We know people bash us about who we hang around with, but we do our jobs, and we take care of our family."
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