In a shocking development, former University of Connecticut football player DJ Hernandez, the troubled older brother of the late NFL star Aaron Hernandez, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to threatening a mass shooting at his alma mater and to kill three people, including a judge, in 2023. The case highlights the continued struggles of the Hernandez family and raises grave concerns about mental health, violence, and safety in college athletics.
A Troubled Past
Dennis “DJ” Hernandez, 38, was once a promising football player at UConn, where he played quarterback and wide receiver in the mid-2000s. But his life took a tragic turn when his younger brother, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, was convicted of murder and later died by suicide in prison in 2017.
After his brother’s death, DJ Hernandez’s mental health allegedly deteriorated. His mother told police he suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia around the time of his arrest last year. That incident involved Hernandez emerging from his sister’s house, yelling “shoot me” at officers, and needing to be subdued with a stun gun.
The UConn Threat
Federal prosecutors say that in July 2023, Hernandez sent Facebook messages to an individual threatening a shooting at UConn’s Storrs campus. Court documents show he wrote:
“I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything. And don’t give a [expletive] who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people turn.”
Hernandez allegedly drove to the UConn campus, as well as to Brown University where he had once coached, to “map the schools out” for an attack. He had also expressed frustration at seeing others get coaching jobs while he struggled financially, claiming UConn owed him.
Murder Threats
In addition to the UConn threat, Hernandez allegedly made multiple threats on Facebook in July 2023 to harm or kill three out-of-state individuals, including a state court judge. The motive for these threats is unclear at this time.
The ESPN Incident
Hernandez also faces separate charges in Connecticut related to a March 2023 incident at ESPN’s headquarters, in which he allegedly threw a brick and a note over a fence onto the property before leaving. The note read:
“To all media outlets, It’s about time you all realeyes the affect media has on all family members. Since you’re a world wide leader maybe you could lead how media and messages are delivered brick by brick.”
– Dennis J. Hernandez
Police say Hernandez was angry at people he believed were profiting off his brother’s death. The incident underscores the complex emotions and mental health struggles in the wake of familial tragedy.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
In federal court on Wednesday, Hernandez pleaded guilty to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure. The charge carries up to five years in prison, with sentencing set for February 6, 2024.
His public defender has not commented on the plea. It remains to be seen whether the resolution of this case will provide Hernandez the help and closure he needs, or if it represents just another chapter in a tragic family saga.
Bigger Issues at Play
The DJ Hernandez case is about more than just one man’s criminal actions. It highlights a confluence of major issues in sports and society:
- Mental health challenges faced by athletes, especially after personal or familial tragedies
- The specter of violence that continues to impact campuses and communities
- Complicated family dynamics and unresolved trauma
- The pressures and frustrations felt by those who don’t achieve their athletic dreams
As the case moves toward sentencing, it serves as a somber reminder for colleges to remain vigilant about threats, to support the mental well-being of athletes, and to foster an environment where troubled individuals like DJ Hernandez get the help they need before resorting to violence. The Hernandez family story is a cautionary tale with many lessons to be learned.
