The life and death of Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end, raise many questions about his struggles with identity and mental health. After being convicted of murder, Hernandez took his own life in prison, leaving behind a complicated legacy, especially regarding his sexuality.
Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, his fiancée, has said she never saw any signs that Hernandez was gay. In the foreword of “Unnecessary Roughness,” a book by his defense attorney Jose Baez, she wrote, “I wish I had known how he felt, just so we could have talked about it. I wouldn’t have disowned him. I would have been supportive.” In an interview, she reiterated that if Hernandez had shared with her that he was gay or bisexual, it wouldn’t have changed her feelings for him.
Rumors about Hernandez’s sexuality grew after his suicide in 2017 and the release of the Netflix docuseries “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez.” The series included claims from high school friends, like Dennis Sansoucie, who said they had a sexual relationship. Jenkins-Hernandez acknowledged Sansoucie but stated, “You can’t describe someone’s sexuality without them being here… No one can.”
Jonathan Hernandez, Aaron’s brother, shared that during a prison visit, Aaron may have opened up to their mother, saying, “Mom, you’re going die never knowing your son.” This indicates he faced inner struggles about his identity, but it’s unclear how he defined his sexuality.
George Leontire, a member of Hernandez’s defense team, claimed Hernandez told him he was gay, stating, “This man clearly was gay,” suggesting Hernandez dealt with self-acceptance issues in a culture that often stigmatizes homosexuality.
Also Read: What Did Researchers Find In Aaron Hernandez’s Brain?
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Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez’s Take On Aaron Hernandez’s Identity
Despite various claims, Jenkins-Hernandez insists she saw Hernandez as “certainly a man to me.” She expressed sadness that he might not have felt he could share his true self with her, saying, “It’s not shameful, and I don’t think anybody should be ashamed of who they are inside, regardless of who they love.“
The way the media portrays Hernandez’s sexuality has sparked debate. The Netflix series and other reports have been criticized for focusing on unverified rumors rather than more significant issues, like Hernandez’s severe CTE diagnosis and the trauma he faced. Many argue that highlighting his sexuality distracts from understanding his complex struggles.
Overall, Aaron Hernandez’s story is not just about a fallen athlete but about the deeper issues of identity and mental health. His life is a reminder of the challenges many people face in silence, seeking acceptance in a world that often judges too quickly.
Also Read: Fact Check: Did Aaron Hernandez’s Fiancée Shayanna Jenkins Leave Him Amid Legal Troubles?
