The NFL apparently had a change of heart, regarding the treatment of its one-time star Aaron Hernandez: after reportedly removing the tight end's statistics from his player page, his career numbers are once again available on the league's website.

On Thursday several reports revealed the former pro-bowler's statistics weren't available on NFL.com. The decision was puzzling because the former New England Patriot hasn't been found guilty of the alleged murder of Odin Lloyd and the stats of several other NFL players with criminal records weren't removed from the league's website.

Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to murder the woman carrying his unborn child in 2001, and his stats were available on NFL.com. Also, the statisitcs of the 27 NFL players, who have been arrested since the Superbowl, are also featured on the league's website.

It's unknown whether the removal of Hernandez's stats was caused my a glitche on NFL's website or whether the league made the arbitrary decision to erase the accused murder's history with the New England Patriots.

Many suspect the Patriots played a role in the elimination of Hernandez's numbers because of the way the team has distanced themselves from their former tight end even before he was charged. The Patriots released Hernandez hours before he was officially arraigned in the shooting death of Lloyd and the NFL recently offered fans who own his jersey an opportunity to exchange it for another player's for free.

The NFL or the Patriots haven't released an official statement, regarding th removal of Hernandez's statistics.

Hernandez was drafted in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Patriots and scored 18 touchdowns and racked up 1,956 receiving yards with the team. He was once a valued piece of the teams two-man offensive punch with fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski.

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