Patriots Drop Hernandez After Arrest

Reports that broke last week of an arrest warrant against Aaron Hernandez may have been premature—but not by much. The Patriots tight end was led out of his home in handcuffs this morning, the Boston Globe reports, though it's unclear what charges he may have been arrested on. About five police cars pulled up in front of his home at 8:40am. Plainclothes officers were greeted at the door by a shirtless Hernandez, and led him away about five minutes later. He was taken to the police station, and is expected to be arraigned later today. Hours later, the Patriots said in a statement that he'd been released from the team.

Hernandez has been at the center of a murder investigation into the death of his friend Odin Lloyd. Last week, several outlets reported that an obstruction of justice warrant was out for Hernandez, but that turned out not to be true. His lawyer finally broke his silence Monday, USA Today reports, but apart from decrying the "relentless flood of rumors, misinformation, and false reports" Hernandez has faced, he said he wouldn't comment on the case. Reads the Patriots statement: "Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. ... At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.” (More Aaron Hernandez stories.)