By MATTHEW WOODS
Staff Writer
1. Hernandez Found Guilty
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder in the case of Odin Lloyd. Hernandez will serve a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, while he also faces two other murder trials which will take place in the near future.
“They got it wrong,” Hernandez said as he was taken from courtroom to prison in handcuffs.
The jury deliberated for roughly 35 hours over the course of seven days as they thoroughly examined evidence, pictures, and testimonies that helped them come to their decision. While the verdict was read, not a single juror looked in the direction of Hernandez, according to those in the court room. Hernandez seemed stoic and emotionless as the verdict was read. He turned back at his mother and fiancée, saying, “it’s okay,” as they sat weeping after the outcome was read.
Hernandez was troubled from the start. Involved with gangs at an early age, he was a person who the prosecution perceived as someone who didn’t tolerate any disrespect. That is believed to be the motive behind the murder, but there is still no official knowledge of that being the reason.
The prosecution also believed that Hernandez felt that because he was a well-known football player, he thoguht he could get away with anything. Hernandez was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The defense argued that Hernandez was a mere witness of the murder, perhaps pointing the finger at the former tight end’s accomplices Earnest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz; both of whom also face murder charges.
If there is any takeaway from this trial, it is that the judicial system proved that those who violate their rights of freedom will face consequences.
2. Peterson Reinstated
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been fully reinstated into the NFL after having been suspended and placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following his child abuse case.
Peterson had met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to explain his compliance with the league’s reinstatement policy. Peterson had met with a counselor that the NFL and Goodell appointed him, and according to the counselor’s observations, the running back had been cleared for a possible reinstatement into the league.
The drama of this situation now shifts over to the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson has expressed his interest to be traded, while a number of teams, including the Cowboys, Raiders, and Cardinals are waiting for a chance to make a deal for the 2013 NFL rushing leader.
Should Peterson violate the NFL’s personal conduct policy again, he would face a very serious suspension without pay, or possibly even expulsion from the NFL.
3. Manziel Out of Rehab
Johnny Manziel was officially released from rehab on Monday, April 11, after spending 10 weeks there to work on his personal issues and to become a better person.
“I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be,” Manziel said on Friday.
The rehab facility in Reading, Pennsylvania where Manziel went for treatment is notorious for helping those struggling with alcohol and drugs. Manziel was a notorious partygoer while attending college at Texas A&M. Photographs of an underage Manziel partying with celebrities and other athletes were a norm while he was at school, and his reputation began taking a hit in the media since he was always under the public spotlight.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect,” Manziel said.
The Browns had a chance to see Manziel on the field as he worked out for the team yesterday. He is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position, even though newly-signed Josh McCown has the upper hand for the position.
4. NBA Increases Cap
The NBA needed a change in salary cap in order to give smaller market teams a fairer chance of competing with larger market teams. That change may be coming sooner rather than later.
The NBA had its annual Board of Governors meeting in New York this past week, and decided to expand the salary cap over the next few seasons. The cap will rise from $63.1 million to $67.1 million next season, $89 million in the 2016-17 season, then to $108 million in the 2017-18 season.
The reason for the large jump is a result of the recently-signed $24 billion television deal that starts next season, which means the NBA will be largely televised on a number of networks, including TNT, ESPN, ABC, and many more.
This increase will allow smaller market teams to be able to spend more money and have the ability to keep and possibly attract bigger stars to their respective franchises. Next season’s free agency period will allow more examination into how the salary cap increase might fare in the future.
5. Lauren Hill Passes Away
Lauren Hill, 19, who was an inspiration to many as she battled brain cancer, passed away on Friday morning at a local area hospital. Hill, a freshman basketball player at Mount St. Joseph’s University, knew how to make every day a great day and not let her brain tumor dictate her life, according to coaches and friends.
Hill co-founded The Cure Starts Now Foundation with Brooke Desserich and helped raise over $1.5 million for cancer research.
Her cancer was discovered as she was in the middle of her senior year of high school. Choosing basketball over her favorite sport, soccer, Hill decided to play hoops for Mount St. Joseph’s, a division III school near Cincinnati, Ohio.
After experiencing dizziness while playing basketball, it was discovered that she had a brain tumor. The tumor rejected much of the treatment, giving Hill just a few years to live.
On November 2, 2014, Hill was given the opportunity to play for the basketball team she so wanted to play for. After an agreement with the NCAA to move up the opening game of the season for Mount St. Joseph, Hill finally got her chance on the court. In the opening minutes of the game, Hill received a bounce pass from a teammate and scored a left-handed layup, which cued a massive amount of cheers and applause.
Hill used her left hand because the tumor had limited movement to the right side of her body, affecting her vision. She returned later in the game to score a right-handed layup as well.
She was an inspiration to all, showing that living in the moment was the way to live life.
