National Football League

Snoop shows support for Hernandez

Published Jul. 5, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Snoop Dogg (Snoop Lion?) has clearly changed his latter-career image in the vein of Ozzy Osbourne. Once known for his legitimately “gangster” rap, nowadays Snoop has taken on the role of the inoffensive bumbling stoner.

However, don’t forget Snoop was once charged with murder (though later acquitted, the case followed him for years) and had strong gang ties growing up in Long Beach, Calif.

In fact, it’s those gang ties that make a recent Instagram picture Snoop posted Thursday night all the more bizarre. Snoop posted a picture of himself with Aaron Hernandez, obviously from some time ago, with the caption “Keep ya head up !! We prayn 4 ya.”

However, it’s absolutely worth noting that Snoop was a known member of a Crip-affiliated gang in Long Beach. Hernandez, meanwhile, reportedly has connections to a Blood-related gang in Bristol, Conn., despite his denial.

For those not familiar in street-gang politics, the Crips and Bloods are two longtime bitter rivals with a violent history and satellites across the country.