Urban Meyer: Florida Didn't Cover Up Any Failed Drug Tests by Aaron Hernandez

Urban Meyer chimed in on Aaron Hernandez Saturday morning, denying rumors the Florida staff covered up failed drug tests by the former Gators’ tight end under his watch. Meyer told the Gainsville Sun the following:

"“I just received an email from a friend where there is an accusation of multiple failed drug tests covered up by the Univ. of Florida or the coaching staff,” Meyer wrote in a text to The Sun. “This is absolutely not true. Hernandez was held to the same drug testing policy as every other player. “He was an athlete at Florida 4-to-7 years ago and there are some comments being made that are not correct. Our staff, myself and our families worked very hard to mentor and guide him. Prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Relating or blaming these serious charges to Univ. of Florida, myself or our staff is wrong and irresponsible.”"

Meyer’s statement is standard boilerplate, though it does raise some eyebrows. For one, the Sun also mentions Meyer saying Hernandez missed the 2008 season opener due to a failed marijuana test. At the time Meyer said Hernandez and other star players were injured.

Meyer also pleaded ignorance to the Sun toward Hernandez being questioned by police in 2007:

"In a later conversation, Meyer was asked about the 2007 shooting incident when Hernandez was one of several Gators questioned by Gainesville police. He said he was told by an assistant that the players were questioned as witnesses and “I didn’t think about it again until a couple of days ago.”"

Thanks to reports this week we know Meyer was aware of a bar fight from the same year involving Hernandez before the tight end was questioned by the police. [Via GatorSports.com]