The Patriots Will Let You Exchange that Awkward Hernandez Jersey Now

Image Credit: jdn on Flickr

The Patriots sure didn’t wait to see if Aaron Hernandez would be found guilty before washing their hands of him, and they don’t think your child should have to either. That’s why, for a very brief period, they’re letting you trade in your #81 jersey for that of a nice, upstanding boy who didn’t maybe probably allegedly orchestrate another man’s cold-blooded execution. Like maybe a nice Vince Wilfork. Or that Tim Tebow everyone keeps talking about. From a Patriots press release:

The New England Patriots ProShop will offer a free jersey exchange of any #81 Hernandez jersey purchased at the Patriots ProShop or online at PatriotsProShop.com for a new Patriots jersey of comparable value. The free jersey exchange will be available exclusively at the Patriots ProShop the weekend of Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7.

“We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don’t want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “We hope this opportunity to exchange those jerseys at the Patriots ProShop for another player’s jersey will be well received by parents.”

Reading the fine print here, this isn’t that magnanimous. Exchanges will be “available only at the Patriots ProShop located at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough” and only on those two days, which requires you to schlep on over to Gillette on a holiday weekend. There’s no waiting to see how things shake out, either. It’s speak now or forever wear the jersey of an accused murderer. Or just, you know, pony up the change and buy another one.