Kraft Felt Comfortable Drafting Aaron Hernandez After TE Wrote Letter Admitting Past Mistakes and Ensuring His Focus on Football

The New England Patriots have been condemned in recent weeks following the murder charge of former tight end Aaron Hernandez. The general viewpoint from outsiders is that the Patriots organization should be ashamed of drafting Aaron Hernandez, given his staggering pre-draft files in 2010.

Hernandez failed multiple drug tests while playing at the University of Florida as his constant marijuana use was appalling. He had clear character issues and was described as “emotionally unstable.” He was seen as a flight risk for potential suspension in the NFL given all his drug problems and mental instabilities.

Why then, would the Patriots select Hernandez in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft?  The Patriots organization took a chance on the troubled star tight end because he wrote a letter to Patriots personnel executive Nick Caserio six days before the draft, admitting to past mistakes in his college days. Hernandez even offered to take up to eight drug tests during the 2010 season if the Patriots were willing to draft him.

With the help of his agents at Athlete’s First, Hernandez was able to construct a well-written letter that depicted why he was worth drafting. In the second to last paragraph of the letter, Hernandez assured the Patriots organization that he was done using recreational drugs and was committed to reaching his NFL ceiling:

“In closing, I ask you to trust me when I say you have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to me and the use of recreational drugs. I have set very high goals for myself in the NFL and am focused 100% on achieving those goals.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke today publicly for the first time since Hernandez was arrested and acknowledged that this letter made him comfortable drafting the troubled tight end.

"The only thing I ever heard on Aaron Hernandez was he was very young, immature and potentially had problems presented in this letter," Kraft said. "Never saw signs of anything else."

Kraft said he was completely unaware of how Hernandez spent his time off the football field.

"When he was in our building, we never saw anything where he was not polite. He was always respectful to me," Kraft said. “We only know what's going on inside the building. We don't put private eyes on people.”

Kraft admitted that selecting Hernandez was the wrong decision.

"It obviously wasn't the correct decision," he said.

Before he dove into conversation about Hernandez, Kraft paid his respects to the Lloyd family.

"My heart goes out to the Lloyd family," he said. "I feel bad that someone connected to our organization is connected to this."

Robert Kraft regrets drafting Aaron Hernandez in 2010. (AP Photo)