Urban Meyer said Saturday he won't be talking any more about the
subject of Aaron Hernandez. But before he shut it down and left for
vacation, he wanted to clear up some things.
“I just received an email from a friend where there is an
accusation of multiple failed drug tests covered up by the Univ. of
Florida or the coaching staff,” Meyer wrote in a text to The Sun. “This
is absolutely not true. Hernandez was held to the same drug testing
policy as every other player.
“He was an athlete at Florida 4-to-7 years ago and there are some comments being made that are not correct. Our staff, myself and our families worked very hard to mentor and guide him. Prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Relating or blaming these serious charges to Univ. of Florida, myself or our staff is wrong and irresponsible.”
In a later conversation, Meyer was asked about the 2007 shooting incident when Hernandez was one of several Gators questioned by Gainesville police. He said he was told by an assistant that the players were questioned as witnesses and “I didn't think about it again until a couple of days ago.”
Hernandez is in jail after being charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd in June. He also faces civil charges for the shooting of a Massachusetts man earlier this year.
An unnamed NFL executive was quoted during the NFL Combine in 2010 that Hernandez had red flags because he had tested positive for marijuana multiple times, possibly as many as six.
Meyer said Saturday that Hernandez missed the 2008 opener against Hawaii because of a failed marijuana test but didn't fail another.
“He was an athlete at Florida 4-to-7 years ago and there are some comments being made that are not correct. Our staff, myself and our families worked very hard to mentor and guide him. Prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Relating or blaming these serious charges to Univ. of Florida, myself or our staff is wrong and irresponsible.”
In a later conversation, Meyer was asked about the 2007 shooting incident when Hernandez was one of several Gators questioned by Gainesville police. He said he was told by an assistant that the players were questioned as witnesses and “I didn't think about it again until a couple of days ago.”
Hernandez is in jail after being charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd in June. He also faces civil charges for the shooting of a Massachusetts man earlier this year.
An unnamed NFL executive was quoted during the NFL Combine in 2010 that Hernandez had red flags because he had tested positive for marijuana multiple times, possibly as many as six.
Meyer said Saturday that Hernandez missed the 2008 opener against Hawaii because of a failed marijuana test but didn't fail another.
