Aaron Hernandez Over the Years

Former Patriots star faces first-degree murder charge.

An Uncertain Future - On Wednesday, police charged former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez with the first-degree murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. In the span of a day, Hernandez, 23, was led away from his home in cuffs and dropped from the Patriots' roster. BET.com brings you up to speed on his life and developing controversy. — Britt Middleton  (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

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An Uncertain Future - On Wednesday, police charged former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez with the first-degree murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. In the span of a day, Hernandez, 23, was led away from his home in cuffs and dropped from the Patriots' roster. BET.com brings you up to speed on his life and developing controversy. — Britt Middleton  (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Odin Lloyd - Lloyd, a semi-pro football player who played with the Boston Bandits, was found shot dead in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez's Massachusetts home on June 17.  The two had known each other for about a year. (Photos: Michael Heiman/Getty Images; AP Photo/Lloyd family via the Boston Bandits, File)

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Odin Lloyd - Lloyd, a semi-pro football player who played with the Boston Bandits, was found shot dead in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez's Massachusetts home on June 17.  The two had known each other for about a year. (Photos: Michael Heiman/Getty Images; AP Photo/Lloyd family via the Boston Bandits, File)

Hernandez's Connection to Lloyd - The family of Lloyd say that he was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancé and that the two were together the night Lloyd was killed. According to the ESPN report, the two friends had a dispute after visiting a nightclub. Authorities said Lloyd was shot multiple times in the back and chest. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Mike George, Pool)

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Hernandez's Connection to Lloyd - The family of Lloyd say that he was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancé and that the two were together the night Lloyd was killed. According to the ESPN report, the two friends had a dispute after visiting a nightclub. Authorities said Lloyd was shot multiple times in the back and chest. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Mike George, Pool)

Criminal Charges - Hernandez also faces five weapons counts in connection with the murder charge, ESPN reported. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. Hernandez is currently being held without bail at Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The former NFL player has pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Keith Nordstrom)

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Criminal Charges - Hernandez also faces five weapons counts in connection with the murder charge, ESPN reported. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. Hernandez is currently being held without bail at Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The former NFL player has pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Keith Nordstrom)

Hernandez Murder Mystery Continues to Unfold - Aside from his charge of murdering 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, CNN reported on Thursday that former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is also being investigated by police for a double homicide on Boston's South End in July 2012. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Mike George, Pool)

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Hernandez Probed in Double Murder Investigation - Separately, CNN reported on Thursday that Hernandez is now being investigated for a double murder in Boston's South End in July 2012. It remains unclear whether there was any connection between that investigation and Hernandez's current murder charge. Investigators believe Hernandez was renting an SUV linked to the crime scene at the time of the murders. (Photo: AP Photo/The Sun Chronicle, Mike George, Pool)

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Early Life - Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut, on Nov. 6, 1989.  He excelled in both basketball and football at Bristol Central High School. In 2006, he set Connecticut state records for receiving yards (1,807) and touchdown catches (24) in a season. In addition, he set a national high school record for yards receiving per game. (Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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College Star - Hernandez played for the University of Florida Gators from 2007 until 2009 (his teammates included future Patriots Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes). He appeared in the starting line-up in 27-of-40 games, catching 111 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, and played on the 2009 BCS Championship-winning team. In 2009, he was awarded the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 NFL Draft - At the end of his junior year at Florida, Hernandez elected to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, where he was picked up in the fourth round by the New England Patriots. (Photo: NFL via Getty Images)

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2010 NFL Draft - At the end of his junior year at Florida, Hernandez elected to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, where he was picked up in the fourth round by the New England Patriots. (Photo: NFL via Getty Images)

Hernandez Arrested - On June 17, Odin Lloyd, believed to have been dating Hernandez' sister, was found shot in the head near Hernandez' home in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. On June 26, Hernandez was arrested in connection to the death and less than two hours later the Patriots dropped him from their roster. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

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NFL Draft Issues - The Associated Press reported that at least one team "refused to select him under any circumstances," and he was passed over repeatedly by other NFL teams. Following the draft, Hernandez admitted to failing a single drug test in college (reportedly for marijuana), and was "up front with the teams about it." (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

Accusations of Gun Violence - A South Florida man recently filed a lawsuit accusing Hernandez of shooting him in the face after an argument at a strip club in February. The AP reported that the man, who lost his right eye, told police at the time that he did not know who shot him. (Photo: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

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Accusations of Gun Violence - A South Florida man recently filed a lawsuit accusing Hernandez of shooting him in the face after an argument at a strip club in February. The AP reported that the man, who lost his right eye, told police at the time that he did not know who shot him. (Photo: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

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Reported Trouble with Teammates - The Boston Globe reported that shortly after being drafted, Hernandez threatened Patriots teammate Wes Welker during an argument in the team's weight room. (Photos from left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

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Reported Trouble with Teammates - The Boston Globe reported that shortly after being drafted, Hernandez threatened Patriots teammate Wes Welker during an argument in the team's weight room. (Photos from left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Turning Over a New Leaf - After the birth of his daughter on Nov. 6, Hernandez told reporters he planned to set a good example for his child. "I can't just be young and reckless Aaron no more. I'm going to try to do the right things, become a good father and [have her] be raised like I was raised." (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Turning Over a New Leaf - After the birth of his daughter on Nov. 6, Hernandez told reporters he planned to set a good example for his child. "I can't just be young and reckless Aaron no more. I'm going to try to do the right things, become a good father and [have her] be raised like I was raised." (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Patriots Career - Hernandez played 38 games over three NFL seasons and has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last summer, he signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Patriots. He was dropped from the roster on Wednesday following his murder arrest. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

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Patriots Career - Hernandez played 38 games over three NFL seasons and has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last summer, he signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Patriots. He was dropped from the roster on Wednesday following his murder arrest. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)