The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance against the New England Patriots on behalf of Aaron Hernandez, as first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN. The NFLPA is aiming to collect an $82,000 workout bonus for the former Patriots tight end, according to USA TODAY Sports.
The NFLPA issued a statement on the grievance to Albert Breer of NFL.com:
"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."
The Patriots released the 23-year-old tight end just hours after he was arrested at his home in North Attleborough, Mass. on June 26. Hernandez was soon charged with murder in the death of 27-year-old semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Hernandez would plead not guilty and be denied bail. Hernandez was formally indicted by a grand jury on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Lloyd on Aug. 22.
The bonus at issue was earned while Hernandez was still a member of the organization and due to be paid on Aug. 1, according to NESN.
MORE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance to help former New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez collect an $82,000 workout bonus.
The union says it has a responsibility to protect the rights in the collective bargaining agreement for all players. Hernandez's contract provides for him to receive that amount if he participated in the team's workouts from April to June.
The Patriots cut Hernandez after he was arrested on June 26 and before he was charged with murder later that day. He pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd and is being held without bail. The union believes Hernandez earned the bonus before his arrest.
The team did not respond to a request for comment on the grievance.
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