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Aaron Hernandez photo removed from HOF museum

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has become the latest entity to publicly distance itself from Aaron Hernandez.

The Plain Dealer reported Saturday the Hall of Fame has removed a photo of the former New England Patriots tight end after multiple visitors to the Canton, Ohio, museum complained of its presence.

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The photo -- which depicted Hernandez skipping into the end zone for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in 2010 -- was the winning image in a Hall of Fame photo contest.

"In the spirit of good taste we thought we'd take it down," said Joe Horrigan, the Hall's vice president of communication and exhibits.

The Patriots released Hernandez on June 26, the day he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Hernandez also faces five gun-related charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Last weekend, the Patriots took the unique step of offering fans the opportunity to exchange their Hernandez jerseys for another team jersey. In addition to losing his NFL work, Hernandez was dropped as a pitch man by sports nutrition company Cytosport and athletic gear company Puma.

Now Canton has washed its hands of Hernandez as well.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.