New England Patriots fans don’t need Ryan Murphy to remind them that fall of Aaron Hernandez it is a truth horror history Alongside Rob Gronkowski, who was drafted two rounds ahead of him in 2010, the explosive tight end was supposed to breathe new life into the Tom Brady and the dynasty led by Bill Belichick. While Gronkowski won four Super Bowls and became a beloved sports figure, Hernandez’s NFL career ended after just three seasons when he was arrested and ultimately convicted of murder. In 2017, he committed suicide in his prison cell.
Eleven years after the surprising arrest of Hernández, the super producer Murphy and the team behind it American Horror Story i American Crime Story dive into a new arena with American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. (The first two episodes premiered this Tuesday night on FX.) Based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.the first installment of American Sports Story examines Hernández’s life and death, including the loss of his father, his own identity, legal issues and coming of age at the University of Florida, breaking away from his neighborhood ties and growing secrets.
it is American Sports Story a good show? No, not really. On the scale of recent sports series, let’s say it’s better than cut out but worse than time to win-which would hurt this Boston fan to say, except we had the last laugh when HBO canceled Winning time after two seasons. (Meaning: It ends with the Celtics defeating the Lakers in the 1984 NBA Finals.) But some of Murphy’s shows fall into the category of good? They are pulp entertainment, often with exciting actors going big and wild. unfortunately, American Sports Story doesn’t quite pull it off, especially without Clive Owen’s Bill Clinton impersonation, or whatever Sarah Paulson usually does in this universe. Out of a mostly winning turn West Side Story Alum Josh Andrés Rivera in the complicated role of Hernandez, it’s hard to recommend the series to someone unfamiliar with Hernandez or the NFL. It’s fun to imagine the average American Horror Story viewer trying to make heads or tails of this grumpy, hooded guy named Bill Belichick.
In fact, people with the most complicated feelings watching American Sports Story they could be the ones worshiping at Belichick’s altar. I’m a Massachusetts native, and Boston sports have been my passion and ultimate vice for as long as I can remember. I’ve had some dark days (Drew Bledsoe’s life-threatening injury, Aaron F***ing Boone and the 2003 ALCS, Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals), but I’ve also been spoiled . The Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins have combined for thirteen championships in the 21st century, with six of those coming courtesy of Brady, Belichick and the Patriots.
Although Hernandez’s Patriots career spans more than half American Sports Story‘s season, only Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft are deployed in a meaningful way.
It’s easy to forget that Hernandez arrived in a period when it wasn’t crazy to wonder if the Patriots’ glory days were over. After winning Super Bowls in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons, the Patriots remained dominant, becoming the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season. But a fourth championship eluded them. Drafting Gronkowski and Hernandez carried risks (injuries for Gronk and character issues for Hernandez), but the potential quickly outweighed those concerns as the duo emerged as the league’s best young weapons. Gronk’s Hall of Fame-worthy resume, not to mention his charming frat boy persona, overshadows Hernandez’s good form during his short career. During his three seasons, Hernandez produced 175 catches and 15 touchdowns. I’m even able to admit that Hernandez was my favorite Patriot at the time without his name being Tom Brady, a bummer only rivaled by my outrage when a second-year Brady was named Bledsoe’s backup over veteran Damon loon (Sorry Tom!)
For Patriots fans, American Sports Story it opens at the start of what will likely be a second straight losing season. (Although we’ll always have our Week 1 win over the Bengals!) The days of Brady and Belichick already feel like a lifetime ago. So you could argue that there is welcome nostalgia in remembering the days when we competed for championships. But can you really be excited to see your favorite team get the Ryan Murphy treatment?
Well, even though Hernandez’s Patriots run spans more than half of the 10-episode season, for some reason only Belichick and owner Robert Kraft are deployed in a meaningful way. There are supposed to be actors playing Patriot legends like Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, and Jerod Mayo, but the credits are the only proof of that. As a result of cut out and its meme-worthy casting, you almost have to appreciate it American Sports Story to not even try to find someone to play one of them like Randy Moss or Julian Edelman. The lack of Patriots highlights is curious, as Hernandez’s tenure at the University of Florida features Tim Tebow (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) and the random inclusion of Cam Newton stealing a computer, which led to his dismissal from the team
In what must be the result of the threat of a lawsuit, Brady is shown only twice. Once, we see TB12 go by so fast you can’t even get a good look at it, and then in a conversation — which we can’t hear — with his then-wife Gisele Bundchen, who is wise. only visible from behind, because you can’t find a fake Gisele! Gronk, Hernandez’s fellow tight end, is briefly played by actor Laith Wallschleger, who gives a straight impression Saturday night live! “Aaron, what’s up bro? My name is Gronk,” he says in his only real appearance. “Have you met the coach yet? That guy is scary, bro. [Insert a very unsuccessful attempt at Gronk’s goofy laugh.]”
Good old Gillette Stadium.
Speaking of the coach — and I may be in the minority here — I got a kick out of representing Belichick. The performance of two-time Tony winner and bloodline Alumnus Norbert Leo Butz arrives at an interesting point in the arc of Belichick’s career. For the first time in more than two decades, Belichick is not the head coach of the Patriots, and in the malaise of all the upheaval, he is becoming what he has long despised: a member of the media. Early in his new career, he’s already shown that he really has a personality outside of the man of few words we’ve come to know and love, even joining the world of social media. InstaFace.
Perhaps the biggest lie American Sports Story explains that Belichick is in his opening scene, when he consults Kraft about the selection of Hernandez. The Belichick I know doesn’t ask for permission, especially from Kraft! The Patriots owner is probably responsible for Belichick’s smear job Apple TV+ recent docuseries The dynasty. But Belichick puts on a great show when he sings Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” in his office before going to practice. Butz excels as Belichick because he can bring as much real acting to the table as a little wink. He has a great time with Belichick’s unexpected musical moment, but also manages the moments when the famously no-nonsense coach comes down hard on Hernandez. Sometimes this was what the struggling player needed, and other times exactly what he didn’t need. With Hernandez fearing for his life, he sought out Belichick for a trade, believing he needed to get out of New England and the bad influences of his native Connecticut. “Do you want me to change you because you have neighborhood problems?” replies an offended Belichick. “Didn’t we tell you to stay away from these people? We just spent a ton of money on you, built the whole offense around you and Gronk. The best tight ends in football, the Hall of Fame quarterback, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
In the end, that’s what worries Patriots fans: Did the mission to win a bunch of games mean turning a blind eye to legitimate concerns? It doesn’t matter that we realize how little we really know those we root for every Sunday. “Maybe he just needs to grow up a little bit,” Belichick says of Hernandez’s issues before drafting him. “I think we have the right culture for him. Tons of upside, no risk.” Later, after Hernandez is arrested, Belichick closes the book on his former star in a press conference: “It’s time for the New England Patriots to move on, and that’s doing what they’ve always done we’ve done: build a winning football team that our fans can be proud of. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why we’re here.” He did just that, winning three more Super Bowls in the following years. Even so, the stain of Hernández can never be removed. Well, unless you’re the Patriot fan I ran into at a bar the other Sunday wearing a Hernandez jersey.
And yet, it could be worse: you could be Urban Meyer! After his representation a American Sports Storythe former University of Florida coach could be the next face of Murphy monster series