A's Social Media Pokes Fun At Aaron Hernandez Mix-Up

Holy double-take — the thought of an Aaron Hernandez jersey in public is still jarring in 2025. And MLB's Athletics pulled off an unexpected Hernandez joke.

On Monday, the A’s social media team had some fun counting down to NFL Week 1, posting a shot of players rocking football jerseys. The highlight was a No. 81 Patriots jersey that instantly grabbed attention.

Some fans might’ve thought Aaron Hernandez, but it turned out to be Randy Moss — a clever, tongue-in-cheek post that played perfectly into the mix-up.

A's pitcher Sean Newcomb, wearing a No. 81 Patriots jersey, drew the most reactions, based on, you guessed it, former TE Aaron Hernandez.

Hernandez, a onetime rising star whose career and life unraveled in a murder conviction, wore 81 for the Pats — a clear blot on the jersey's legacy.

Newcomb was wearing a Randy Moss jersey, but social media reacted to the idea of him showing up in a Hernandez jersey.

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 10: Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots smiles from the sidelines in the fourth quarter during a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on December 10, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The A’s leaned into the humor of the situation — sharing a follow-up of them zooming in on the tag on Newcomb's jersey, which clearly ID’d it as a Moss jersey.

"So glad this was Randy Moss and not Aaron Hernandez," one fan reacted on X.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela