National Football League

Aaron Hernandez isn't allowed to watch Pats playoff games

Published Jan. 14, 2014 1:36 a.m. ET

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One year ago Monday, Aaron Hernandez was helping the New England Patriots reach the AFC Championship Game with six catches for 85 yards in a 41-28 divisional-round win over Houston.

The Patriots are back in the conference title game this season, but without the former tight end's help. Not only is he unable to play as he sits in a jail cell, but he also hasn’t watched his former teammates in the playoffs — and it isn’t by choice, according to the Boston Herald.

The accused killer isn’t allowed to watch any TV at the Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth, Mass., Bristol Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson told the paper Sunday. That includes Patriots games, as the former tight end was unable to watch the Patriots crush the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

"He's not allowed to watch any TV," Hodgson told the Herald, while acknowledging the 24-year-old has asked officials at the jail if he could be allowed to watch TV.

Other prisoners were allowed to watch one hour of the AFC divisional round game, according to the report. Hernandez is housed in a special-management unit where he’s confined to his cell 21 hours a day. The other three hours are spent alone in an outdoor 12-foot-by-8-foot "pen" — three separate hour-long breaks throughout the day. According to Hodgson:

"It’s jail," he said. "It’s all about standards and sending a message.

"There’s no equipment. It’s basically just a pen. He can do pushups, sit-ups. He’s fine. For the most part, he’s cooperative."

Hernandez is charged with murder in the June shooting death of semi-pro football player and friend Odin Lloyd. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.

Hernandez is also the subject of a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Lloyd's family in December.

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