Aaron Hernandez was New England kid who knew how to push Robert Kraft's buttons, the Patriots owner told Boston reporters on Monday, added that he was "duped" by the player.
Two days after returning from his vacation in Europe and Israel, Kraft broke his silence about Hernandez's arrest on murder charges, speaking publicly against the advice of his attorneys, the Boston Herald reported.
Kraft explained that he felt obligated to speak to the public as head of the Patriots organization. He read from a prepared statement and then took part in a 40-minute discussion on the subject of Hernandez, according to the Boston Herald.
"Here we have a guy who, man, it looks like had the world by the tail," Kraft told reporters. "He said to me he wanted to be a role model to the Hispanic community.
Hernandez, who signed a $40 contract before the start of last season, wrote a check for $50,000 to Kraft to go to the memorial charity of the late Myra Kraft, Bob's wife.
He said we'd given him a second chance and I believed him," Kraft said. "He was the most likeable young man. This is all sad to me. Very sad."
The second chance to which Kraft referred was the Patriots' decision to take the Florida Gators star in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft despite questions about his character coming out of college.
Boston.com reported that the Patriots' faith stemmed from a letter that Hernandez had written to the organization six days before the draft.
Kraft had the letter with him when he talked about it to reporters.
The letter was addressed to Patriots' personnel director Nick Caserio and written with help from Hernandez's agents at Athletes First, according to Boston.com.
Hernandez admitted to marijuana use while at the University of Florida and told the Patriots said he would undergo bi-weekly drug testing during his rookie season if the team were to draft him. Hernandez also offered to reimburse the team for any money he would earn if he were to test positive and earn a suspension.
"My point is simple - if I fail a drug test, I do not deserve that portion of the money," Hernandez wrote. "I realize this offer is somewhat unorthodox, but it is also the only way I could think of to let you know how serious I am about reaching my potential in the NFL."
Boston.com added that Kraft said Hernandez, a native of Bristol, Conn., "knew how to push my buttons." Hernandez told Kraft the first jersey he ever owned was a Drew Bledsoe Patriots jersey.
"He was a New England kid who was a Patriot. I thought it was cool," Kraft said.
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