DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Catching a glimpse of the live proceedings on an overhead-TV in his Gator Beach & Sports apparel store across from the Ocean Walk on A1A, Paul Politis wasn't surprised University of Florida and ex-New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of murder Wednesday in a Fall River, Mass. courtroom.
And with the 1st-degree murder conviction for the 2013 gunshot-slaying of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, Hernandez was subsequently sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
To Gator Nation followers like Politis, a merchant fixture in Daytona since his college days at U of F and appreciably older than the 25-year-old Hernandez, the court action was not a surprise, though still no less disappointing.
"What a complete waste of some serious talent," Politis told Headline Surfer® of Hernandez, a hulking figure on the gridiron in college and the pros "But that's what happens when you continue to live the thug life."
To Gator Nation followers like Politis, a beachside merchant fixture in Daytona since his college days at the University of Florida and appreciably older than the 25-year-old Hernandez, the court action was not a surprise, though still nonetheless disappointing.
"What a complete waste of some serious talent," Politis told Headline Surfer® of Hernandez, a hulking figure on the gridiron in college and the pros. "But that's what happens when you continue to live the thug life."
Hernandez was a three-year star player for the University of Florida, culminating in the 2009 season with him becoming the first Gator tight end named as a first team All-American.
And Hernandez was the recipient of the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best college player at the position.
That was then. This is now.
On this Wednesday, news of the 25-year-old Hernandez's fate topped the Google news directory and media outlets across the nation. Hernandez stood stoically as the verdict was read aloud.
After a brief recess called by the judge to say goodbye to the jurors, the former NFL star player was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
FAST FACTS: Aaron Hernandez - gridiron star to convicted murderer