Aaron Hernandez was at one time one of the best up-and-coming tight ends in the entire NFL. He appeared to be a long-term fixture of the New England Patriots' offense, but things changed very quickly. In the blink of an eye, Hernandez was arrested for murder and never played football again.

Unfortunately, Hernandez decided to take his life in prison. While some may think that his death should not be mourned, the loss of a life is always tragic.

According to a new report from the Boston Globe, Hernandez's former teammates knew that he was connected to known criminals.

Hernandez maintained relationships with criminal friends from his nearby hometown friends in Bristol, Connecticut. It was not a secret in the locker room, former linebacker Dane Fletcher told The Globe

“I knew they were trouble,” Fletcher said. “Everybody kind of did.”

Hernandez may have been a great football player, but he was also a clear picture that money doesn't buy happiness. He was never able to escape his demons and they ended his life.

Another former teammate, Brandon Lloyd, talked more about Hernandez's troubled mind in the locker room. He talked about something that former Patriots' wide receiver Wes Welker told him about Hernandez.

“He is looking at me wide-eyed, and he says, ‘I just want to warn you that (Hernandez) is going to talk about being bathed by his mother. He’s going to have his genitalia out in front of you while you’re sitting on your stool. He’s going to talk about gay sex. Just do your best to ignore it. Even walk away.”’

Needless to say, Aaron Hernandez was a troubled individual that never reached out for help. Instead, he allowed himself to remain close with the people that ultimately helped ruin his life.

This is just another reminder that if you are struggling with something, reach out for help and try to get out of a bad situation. Hernandez could have made such a good life for himself and his family, but instead he wasted it away and ended up killing himself in prison.