What happened to Aaron Hernandez’s older brother, DJ Hernandez

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez may focus on the story of its titular athlete, but it also features a fictionalized version of ​​his older brother – Dennis “DJ” Hernandez. Played by Ean Castellanos in the American Sports Story The cast, DJ Hernandez played a big role in his brother’s formative years. yet Aaron turned down the opportunity to play with his older sister at UConn In favor of a place on the list at the University of Florida, the dynamic between the two brothers becomes strained in the show.

DJ played five seasons at the collegiate level (via UConn), transitioned to wide receiver for his final two years after starting at quarterback the previous three. He is not one of the many NFL players in American Sports StoryAs the older Hernandez brother never made it to the professional level. After Aaron’s death, DJ Hernandez has his own opinions about why his brother took his own life in prison as well as his criminal exploits. DJ’s life and relationship with the law remain tumultuous to this day.

DJ Hernandez had his own criminal issues after Aaron’s death

Aaron’s brother made several threats to various organizations

Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in prison in 2017, almost two years to the day after he was sentenced for the murder of Odin Lloyd. Since then, his brother has continued to have his own run in with the law for different—but similar—reasons. For example, in 2023, DJ was arrested for threatening to shoot up Brown University and UConn (via Turn to 10) – the latter is the college for which he played. TMZ He also reportedly drove recklessly, and also threw a brick at ESPN’s Bristol campus.

Before his arrest for threatening the act of violence at UConn, Steelcaster reports that Hernandez sent a message to a woman in his life that read, “I’ve been dead for years now and now it’s other people’s turn.” Furthermore, He also attached a note to the brick that was thrown at the ESPN building which read, “To all media outlets, it is time you all realized these [effect] Media has on all family members.” The criminal issues of DJ Hernandez after his brother’s death and subsequent coverage of the incident would appear to be related, but this is unconfirmed.

What DJ Hernandez had to say about Aaron and his death

The older Hernandez brother thinks Aaron’s CTE contributed to the NFL star’s actions

As well as criticizing the role of the media in Aaron Hernandez’s case, DJ also expressed other opinions. Many of these are included in his book, published after his brother’s death: The truth about Aaron: My journey to understand my brother. in this book, DJ mentions his brother’s CTE diagnosiswhich was discovered only after Aaron’s death. An unfortunately common brain injury among football players, it is caused by multiple blows to the head, which DJ claims was a relatively common occurrence even before football.

“Many years later, I am left to wonder. This was the first blow of many that affected my brother’s brain?”

Cases as seemingly innocent as playing with friends would often result in such an event for Aaron. According to Boston UniversityCTE (Chronic Trauma Encephalopathy) can result in symptoms such as “Impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, suicidality“ And more. So, there may be some merit to DJ Hernandez’s theory. But Aaron’s brother also pointed out that the death of their father also contributed to the unpredictable personality that led to his Crime and finally death.

Where is DJ Hernandez now?

DJ is still often in trouble with the law

According to BostonDJ Hernandez’s post-college career took him into coaching. He had stints as a position coach at Brown and Iowa But was also appointed head coach at Ledyard High School in Connecticut after a short break from football where he spent a few years with a roofing business in Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, his issues with the law in the wake of his brother’s death continue. Although he did not kill anyone, many of his arrests were due to the threat of doing so, and most were also related to Aaron Hernandez’s suicide.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Follows part of the journey of DJ Hernandez, but because the main character is his brother – whose story ends during his incarceration – the criminal acts of the older Hernandez sibling are not the priority of the show. that is, Aaron’s fate seems to have triggered at least some of DJ’s crimes And, according to ESPN“Deteriorating mental health.” Because American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is now set so long ago, DJ’s current situation isn’t particularly relevant to the narrative.

Sources: UConn, Turn to 10, TMZ, stylecaster, Boston University, Boston, ESPN