National Football League

Hernandez's ex-teammates weigh in on conviction, call it sad

Published Apr. 21, 2015 4:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Two New England Patriots players are weighing in on former teammate Aaron Hernandez's murder conviction, calling it a sad situation.

Special teams captain Matthew Slater and safety Devin McCourty attended the first day of voluntary team activities Tuesday.

The team did not comment last week when Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd. The 25-year-old was sentenced to life without parole. Hernandez had a $40 million contract when he was arrested.

Slater said Tuesday that he is praying for Hernandez and everyone else involved. He calls it a ''tragic, sad situation, for so many different people, for so many different reasons.''

McCourty says two lives are gone.

McCourty and Hernandez were drafted to the Patriots in 2010.