A listener note, this episode contains descriptions of graphic material and references to suicide and may not be suitable for a younger audience. It's September 12, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Outside Gillette Stadium, the sky is deep blue and the air is crisp.

The dogwood trees are beginning to turn a dark shade of red, and there's an almost electric energy in the air

as tens of thousands of fans come streaming into the open air stadium for the New England

Patriots first game of the 2010 NFL season. Among the crowd are

DJ Hernandez and his mother Terry. They're making their way past lines of

food and drink vendors trying to get to their seats before kickoff.

Today, D.J.'s younger brother, Aaron Hernandez, is about to make his NFL debut

playing as tight end for the Patriots.

Aaron has long been a football prodigy. He won a national championship. Patriots. With those sorts of accolades, there should have been no question he was going to make it to the pros.

But when he wasn't on the field, Aaron found himself getting into trouble.

Aaron was nearly charged with a felony after striking a bar manager in the side of the head.

He failed drug tests too and often got high before playing games.

He was even accused of firing a gun in an attempted double homicide, an accusation that never led to charges.

So when it was time for the NFL draft, professional teams continued to skip over Aaron.

They apparently weren't interested in a player who had so many run-ins with the law.

And in the end, despite all his accomplishments, Aaron wasn't selected until the fourth round.

It was a personal setback, but Aaron had been given a shot at

redemption. He was drafted by his hometown team, the Patriots. They've already won three

Super Bowls and this year they're among the favorites to win again.

But for the Patriots success isn't just a matter of having the best quarterback or defense.

The team is also renowned for its organizational culture centered around the virtues of hard work and personal integrity.

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