Jackson Free Press

Maybe times have changed. Maybe this is why there is such a difference between two NFL franchises.

I am surprised at how the New England Patriots are handling the Aaron Hernandez situation. The team quickly released the Patriots tight end even before he was arrested on a murder charge last week.

Thirteen years ago, Ray Lewis was charged with a double murder. The Baltimore Ravens didn't let him go; the team allowed him to participate in team activities while the judicial process played out.

Lewis was tied to a double murder in Atlanta. A year later, he was named Super Bowl MVP. But, while the Ravens linebacker was a superstar, Hernandez is not.

Hernandez is accused of murdering Odin Lloyd, an acquaintance, on June 17. The Patriots have every right to cut him for bringing bad publicity to the club. But the Patriots' actions condemn him even before his trial starts. New England is even offering a Hernandez jersey exchange for a jersey of comparable price.

The media hasn't really been much better. Super-Boston homer Bill Simmons took time off from whining about Doc Rivers leaving the Celtics to tweet that he took an hour-long shower to wash off rooting for Hernandez the last three years.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Hernandez might have murdered Lloyd. The prosecution says Lloyd's murder covered up another murder in which Hernandez was involved. Perhaps Hernandez had the wrong type of friends.

Coming out of the University of Florida, Hernandez had some red flags, but nothing close his current situation. The Patriots got the tight end for a low-draft pick, and he was a model citizen until this story broke.

He signed a huge contract with New England 10 months ago. At the time, members of the media applauded the Patriots for taking a gamble on Hernandez.

Flash forward to last week, and the media turned on Hernandez and the Patriots.

Here's an amazing thing: ESPN has hired Ray Lewis to work for the network after his retirement last season. Bill Simmons and the rest of the World Wide Leader talent now gets to work every day with a guy who was accused of a double murder.

How will members of the media backtrack if Hernandez is found not guilty or if the charges get reduced as in the Ray Lewis case? Will they welcome back Hernandez if the charges don't stick?