GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Gators are no longer celebrating Aaron Hernandez.
The University Athletic Association, which funds the school's athletic programs, has removed all references to Hernandez in and around the football stadium. The latest and most public one came Thursday when construction workers pulled up a granite plaque commemorating Hernandez as a first team All-America selection in 2009. The brick was cemented into the ground outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
"We didn't feel it was appropriate to celebrate Aaron Hernandez," the UAA said in a statement. "We put together an immediate plan after the initial news broke to remove his likeness and name in various private and public areas in the facility, such as the South End Zone team area, locker room, football offices, Heavener Complex Kornblau Lobby and the brick display entrance to the football facility.
"We were able to implement some of the changes immediately, and this (brick removal) was a more complex process to complete with our vendors."
