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The NFL Players Association have told the New England Patriots the team must pay accused murderer Aaron Hernandez the $82,000 he’s owed for working out with the team this past spring, reports USA Today.
The Patriots canceled Hernandez’s contract on June 26 just hours after the tight-end was arrested in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. Hernandez has maintained his innocence and is being held without bail in a county jail.
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In 2012 the disgraced player signed a $40 million extension to his contract with the Pats. USA Today says:
Hernandez’s contract also included $3.25 million in deferred signing bonus to be paid in March 2014, money Hernandez’s representatives could argue he has earned.
The NFLPA says that between April and June, Hernandez performed $82,000 worth of activities including training and promotional work. The money had not been paid at the time when Hernandez was fired. The players union issued a statement saying:
On behalf of all players, it is our responsibility to protect the rights in the collective bargaining agreement. We are not tone-deaf to what the allegations are in this case, but for the benefit of all players, there are important precedents here we must protect.