Florida to remove Hernandez brick
The University of Florida continued to distance itself from Aaron Hernandez by announcing Thursday the school intends to remove a brick outside Ben Hill Griffith Stadium honoring the former All-American tight end for the Gators.
Hernandez has been charged in the June 26 murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, and the school immediately began removing photographs and images of Hernandez from around the football facility. The brick outside the stadium commemorates Hernandez being named an All-American in 2009.
"We didn't feel it was appropriate to celebrate Aaron Hernandez. We put together an immediate plan after the initial news broke to remove his likeness and name in various private and public areas in the facility, such as the South Endzone team area, locker room, football offices, Heavener Complex, Kornblau Lobby and the brick display entrance to the football facility," the school said in a statement.
"We were able to implement some of the changes immediately and this (brick removal) was a more complex process to complete with our vendors. The plan was to have everything completed before the end of July."
Hernandez won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2009 and went on to become a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots the following spring. The Patriots released Hernandez less than two hours after he was charged with Lloyd's murder.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
