New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez arrived Thursday at Gillette Stadium to much fanfare, as reporters and helicopters tracked his every move. He was inside the stadium for a period of approximately 35 minutes before Patriots security asked him to leave and escorted him out and away from the media, according to a source informed of the decision.
Patriots security, upon consultation with owner Robert Kraft and perhaps other decision-makers, asked Hernandez to leave because they didn't feel the stadium should be the site of a media stakeout, per the source.
While the facility is mostly empty, with coaches and players on vacation, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick did have an event Thursday at the stadium to announce the creation of an academy designed to improve access to manufacturing jobs.
As for why Hernandez was there, it's still unclear. He did not work out, as he did not change into workout clothes upon arrival. His gear was displayed Wednesday, so he might have worked out then.
Hernandez is unlikely to make any more trips to Gillette Stadium prior to July 25, when players are slated to report for training camp.
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