Patriots urge fans to exchange Aaron Hernandez jerseys for new ones

The New England Patriots quickly distanced themselves from Aaron Hernandez by cutting the tight end before he was charged with first-degree murder.

Now they are encouraging fans to do the same with their No. 81 Hernandez jerseys -- get rid of them.

The Patriots are offering fans who had purchased a Hernandez jersey a chance to exchange it for a new one. Fans can come to the stadium store on the weekend of July 6-7 and trade for a jersey of comparable value.

Wonder how many Tim Tebow jerseys will be taken? Wonder if Tim Tebow is any closer to playing tight end instead of quarterback?

The team has already taken all Hernandez jerseys off the shelves of its souvenir store at Gillette Stadium, and Hernandez’s jersey is no longer available online.

On the team’s website, the club is urging parents to encourage their kids to make the exchange. Patriots spokesman Stacey James said children might not understand why parents wouldn’t want them to wear the jersey.

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