Well, someone believes Aaron Hernandez has been wronged.
The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance against the New England Patriots on behalf of the former tight end, in an attempt to collect an $82,000 workout bonus that was scheduled to be paid on Aug. 1, according to ESPN.com.
Hernandez, who is currently incarcerated and facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of Odin Lloyd, was cut by the Patriots on June 26, the day he was arrested.
“On behalf of all players, it is our responsibility to protect the rights in the collective bargaining agreement,” the NFLPA said in a statement.
“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.”
Hernandez participated in a workout program in the spring to earn the bonus, which hasn’t been paid, but the 23-year-old may be in line for a much bigger payday come next spring.
Hernandez, who signed a $40 million contract extension in 2012, which included $12.5 million guaranteed, is owed $3.25 million in March — the final payment of guaranteed money.
According to FoxSports.com, the Patriots would have had an easier time avoiding a future payment to Hernandez had they kept him on the roster.
A clause in the 2011 CBA, which owners sought to have included, states that a team has the right to recoup the prorated portion of a signing bonus if a player on the team roster is incarcerated, but the Patriots’ desire to rid themselves of Hernandez and the controversy surrounding him may ultimately cost the team millions of dollars.