After the Miami Dolphins choked away their game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, center Mike Pouncey, 24, was served with grand jury papers outside the locker room by Massachusetts police.
According to Sports Illustrated, the subpoena is related to the investigation into Aaron Hernandez, who was a former teammate of Pouncey's at the University of Florida. The two were also good friends (Pouncey even ridiculously went out wearing a Free Hernandez cap shortly after Hernandez's arrest for murder).
Specifically, authorities are focusing on Hernandez's possible involvement in interstate gun trafficking. More to the point, though, they are looking into multiple transactions that involve Pouncey and Hernandez.
Just because Pouncey was served with a subpoena doesn't mean he'll be charged with a crime, however. For now, SI says, Pouncey is being regarded as a material witness as authorities build their case against Hernandez.
Neither the Dolphins nor Pouncey are commenting on the subpoena, although the center and team officials were taken aback when officers approached him with the papers following the game:
After the game, two members of the Massachusetts State Police in dark suits approached Pouncey in the hallway between the Dolphins locker room and the team bus and handed him a piece of white paper. "It's about a grand jury investigation," one official could be heard telling Pouncey. The same police official later said, "Make sure you arrive."Pouncey appeared confused when handed the paperwork by police and said, "What's this about?" Soon Dolphins officials were scrambling around the concourse looking for answers.
Dolphins special teams coach Darren Rizzi was in the vicinity at the time and asked one of the officers if they'd spoken to the Dolphins director of security Stu Weinstein. A uniformed Massachusetts State Police officer held out his right arm and attempted to shield Rizzi from hearing the conversation between Pouncey and police officials.
Rizzi later said with a perplexed look on his face, "Pouncey just got served papers."
Hernandez was indicted in August in the killing of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. He has since pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, as well as several weapons-related charges. He is currently incarcerated.
The Dolphins have yet to comment.
According to the team, Pouncey traveled back to Miami with the Dolphins on Sunday.
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