(CNN)Ursula Ward kept repeating her son's name -- Odin. 

She steadied herself against the podium in the Fall River, Massachusetts, courtroom and occasionally paused. She was tired after more than two years of pain, punctuated Wednesday when her son's killer, Aaron Hernandez, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. 

Odin Lloyd was her first born, her only son. "Odin was the backbone of the family. Odin was the man of the house. Odin was his sisters' keeper," Ward told Judge Susan Garsh, before Garsh sentenced the former pro-football player. 

Lloyd was 27-years-old and working for a landscaping firm when he was killed in June 2013. He played football for the Boston Bandits, the oldest semi-pro team in Boston and the winner of four championships in the New England Football League, according to the team's website. 

His mother, sister, uncle and cousin described him as a champion of family, a gifted athlete and a hard worker with a sense of humor. 

They said he rode his bike several miles to get to work. He went to all of his niece's recitals. 

"Odin was my first best gift I (will) ever receive," his mother said. "I thank God (for) every second and every day of my son's life that I spent with him. 

"The day I laid my son Odin to rest," she continued, pausing to maintain her composure, "I think my heart stopped beating for a moment. I felt like I wanted to go into that hole with my son, Odin." 
who rode his bike to the recitals
who described Odin as a champion
who was convicted of first degree murder
how old was loyd when he was killed
what did Odins mom say when she laid her son to rest
what was the judges name that sentenced odin
where did Odin ride his bike
what did loyd do for a living
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what did Odins mom steady herself on in court  room
Odin
He went to all of his niece's recitals
His mother, sister, uncle and cousin
His mother, sister, uncle and cousin described him as a champion
Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez, was convicted of first degree murder
27
Lloyd was 27-years-old and working for a landscaping firm when he was killed
she wanted to go into the hole with him
I felt like I wanted to go into that hole with my son
Susan Garsh
Judge Susan Garsh, before Garsh sentenced the former pro-football player.
to work
he rode his bike several miles to get to work
he worked for a landscaping firm
working for a landscaping firm
Wednesday
Wednesday when her son's killer, Aaron Hernandez, was convicted
the podium
steadied herself against the podium