‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’ Explores the Complex Life of the Disgraced NFL Star

The new FX limited series, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, delves into the tumultuous life of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, offering a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal that goes beyond the sensational headlines. Premiering on September 17, 2024, the series is based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. from The Boston Globe and Wondery.

The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez

The 10-episode series, starring Josh Andrs Rivera as Hernandez, chronicles the athlete's journey from his challenging upbringing to his rise as a star player for the New England Patriots. Hernandez's life was marked by an abusive father who pressured him to excel in football and embody traditional notions of masculinity, while he also grappled with his own sexual identity in secrecy.

The show explores the gradual escalation of Hernandez's erratic behavior, culminating in his conviction for murder and his subsequent death in prison. It also touches on the posthumous discovery that Hernandez's brain exhibited signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head trauma in football players.

A Multifaceted Portrayal

Josh Andrs Rivera, known for his roles in The Hunger Games prequel and West Side Story , took on the significant responsibility of portraying Hernandez. Rivera described Hernandez as a 'chameleon' with a magnetic quality that masked a deeply complicated inner world. He immersed himself in Hernandezs life by listening to prison phone calls and viewing interview footage to capture the essence of his character.

The physical transformation into Hernandez was extensive, involving a significant increase in caloric intake and working closely with trainers to build muscle. However, the most challenging aspect for Rivera was the extensive tattoo work required, which often limited his movement during filming.

Cast and Production

Joining Rivera in the cast are Jaylen Barron as Hernandez's high school sweetheart and fianc, Shayanna Jenkins; Lindsay Mendez as his cousin, Tanya Singleton; Ean Castellanos as his brother, DJ Hernandez; and Tammy Blanchard as his mother, Terri Hernandez. The series also features Patrick Schwarzenegger as Hernandez's college teammate Tim Tebow, Tony Yazbeck as former Florida coach Urban Meyer, and Norbert Leo Butz as former Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Principal photography began in April 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and resumed in December after a brief suspension due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming also took place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in March 2024.

Challenging Perspectives

The producers of the series aim to challenge existing perspectives on high-profile sports figures like Hernandez. By exploring the deeper story behind the headlines, they hope to offer viewers a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of those connected to Hernandez. This narrative is part of the broader 'American Story' franchise, which now focuses on sports, encouraging viewers to rethink their assumptions about the 'American religion of football.'