Aaron Hernandez’s #81 jersey is a hot item on eBay and Amazon. (Getty Images)
Organizations take different measures in distancing themselves from employees who have allegedly committed heinous crimes.
In the latter part of 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) attempted to wipe out all video evidence that Chris Benoit, who police said strangled his wife and 7-year-old son to death before taking his own life, ever worked for the company. Benoit’s likeness was removed from all DVDs and archival footage that the company broadcast past 2007.
The Buffalo Bills, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL never celebrated O.J. Simpson’s career after a jury found in a civil trial that he was liable in the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. They did, however, allow many of his plaques and awards to remain visible to the public. For instance, Simpson’s name is still visible on the “Ring of Honor” at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Patriots are allowing fans to exchange Aaron Hernandez jerseys at the team’s pro shop for jerseys of other Patriots players after Hernandez was arrested last week in connection to the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. Less than two hours after Hernandez’s arrest he was released by the team and his name was promptly removed from the team’s roster on Patriots.com.
But in this supply and demand society, the more something is taken away, the more it becomes valuable on the open market. It’s for this reason that a framed Hernadez autographed jersey from his time playing at Florida was going for $500 on Amazon.com yesterday. A signed Hernandez Patriots Reebok jersey was going for $1,025 yesterday on EBay. By comparison, a Tim Tebow signed Denver Broncos jersey was going for $629.99 yesterday on EBay. A signed Rob Gronkowski jersey on EBay was going for just $164.99 yesterday.
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS
