One of the most revealing press conferences he's ever done...
[video]http://bcove.me/g5s3h1zu[/video]
In his first and likely last comments on Aaron Hernandez, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he was shocked and disappointed that a player was involved with an investigation associated with his team.
After introducing the topic, Belichick would not say Hernandez's name again in a 22-minute press conference in which he expressed remorse for Odin Lloyd and his family, the victim of Hernandez's alleged crime, and appeared genuinely contrite.
It was a stark contrast from past press conferences surrounding controversy.
"It's a sad day. It's really a sad day on so many levels," Belichick said in his opening statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family with the victim. I express my sympathy with everyone that's been impacted.
"A young man has lost his life, a family has suffered a tragic loss."
Belichick was out of the country when he learned of the investigation.
"I and other members of our organization were shocked and disappointed in what we'd learned, having someone in the organization that is involved in a murder investigation," he said. "And after consultation with ownership we acted swiftly and decisively."
The team cut Hernandez on June 26, the day he was arrested.
Belichick also said the organization did not know of Hernandez's possible connection to a double homicide in 2012 that involved two Boston men, or a shooting in Florida in which the team's former tight end is accused by an acquaintance.
"This case involves an individual who happened to be a New England Patriot," Belichick said. "We certainly do not condone unacceptable behavior. And this does not in any way represent the way that the New England Patriots want to do things.
"As the coach of the team, I'm primarily responsible for people we bring into the football operations," Belichick continued. "Our players are generally highly motivated and gifted athletes. They come from very different backgrounds [with] many challenges along the way. And they've done things to get here. Sometimes they've made bad and immature decisions. But we try to look at every single situation on a case-by-case basis and we try to do what's best for the football team and what's best for the franchise.
"Most of those decisions have worked out. Some don't. Overall I'm proud of the hundreds of players that have come through this program. I'm personally disappointed and hurt in a situation like this."
[video]http://bcove.me/g5s3h1zu[/video]
In his first and likely last comments on Aaron Hernandez, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he was shocked and disappointed that a player was involved with an investigation associated with his team.
After introducing the topic, Belichick would not say Hernandez's name again in a 22-minute press conference in which he expressed remorse for Odin Lloyd and his family, the victim of Hernandez's alleged crime, and appeared genuinely contrite.
It was a stark contrast from past press conferences surrounding controversy.
"It's a sad day. It's really a sad day on so many levels," Belichick said in his opening statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family with the victim. I express my sympathy with everyone that's been impacted.
"A young man has lost his life, a family has suffered a tragic loss."
Belichick was out of the country when he learned of the investigation.
"I and other members of our organization were shocked and disappointed in what we'd learned, having someone in the organization that is involved in a murder investigation," he said. "And after consultation with ownership we acted swiftly and decisively."
The team cut Hernandez on June 26, the day he was arrested.
Belichick also said the organization did not know of Hernandez's possible connection to a double homicide in 2012 that involved two Boston men, or a shooting in Florida in which the team's former tight end is accused by an acquaintance.
"This case involves an individual who happened to be a New England Patriot," Belichick said. "We certainly do not condone unacceptable behavior. And this does not in any way represent the way that the New England Patriots want to do things.
"As the coach of the team, I'm primarily responsible for people we bring into the football operations," Belichick continued. "Our players are generally highly motivated and gifted athletes. They come from very different backgrounds [with] many challenges along the way. And they've done things to get here. Sometimes they've made bad and immature decisions. But we try to look at every single situation on a case-by-case basis and we try to do what's best for the football team and what's best for the franchise.
"Most of those decisions have worked out. Some don't. Overall I'm proud of the hundreds of players that have come through this program. I'm personally disappointed and hurt in a situation like this."
