New England Patriots fans don’t need Ryan Murphy to remind them that Aaron Hernandez’s fall is a true horror story. Alongside Rob Gronkowski, who was drafted twice before him in 2010, the explosive tight end was supposed to breathe new life into a dynasty led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Although Gronkowski won four Super Bowls and became a beloved sports player, Hernandez’s NFL career ended after just three seasons when he was arrested and eventually convicted. of murder. In 2017, he committed suicide in his prison cell.
Eleven years after the mysterious arrest of Hernandez, the uber producer Murphy and the team behind it American Horror Story and American Crime Story enter a new field with me American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. (The first two episodes aired this Tuesday night on FX.) Based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.the first part of The Story of American Sports explores Hernandez’s life and death, including the loss of his father, his identity, legal issues and growing up at the University of Florida, his isolation from neighborhood relationships, and his growing secrets.
No The Story of American Sports a benefit show? No, it’s not like that. By the standards of modern games, let’s say it’s better Dismissed but worse Time to Win—which would hurt this Boston fan to say, except we had the last laugh when HBO canceled Time to win after two years. (Meaning: It ends with the Celtics defeating the Lakers in the 1984 NBA Finals.) But do any of Murphy’s shows fall into the category of benefit? It’s pulp entertainment, often with fun actors taking on big and wild parties. Unfortunately, The Story of American Sports it doesn’t do well there, especially with no one imitating Bill Clinton from Clive Owen, or whatever Sarah Paulson is used to doing in this universe. Outside of the area that wins the most West Side Story alum Josh Andrés Rivera in Hernandez’s complex role, it’s hard to recommend this series to anyone who doesn’t know Hernandez or the NFL. It’s interesting to think about averages American Horror Story viewer trying to make heads or tails of this sad, hoodie-wearing guy named Bill Belichick.
In fact, the most hardened people are watching The Story of American Sports be those who worship at the altar of Belichick. I am a Massachusetts native, and Boston sports have been my primary passion and obsession for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived through 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 broken. 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.
It’s easy to forget that Hernandez arrived at a time 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 strong, becoming the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season. But the fourth competition eluded them. Drafting Gronkowski and Hernandez came with risks (injuries for Gronk and personal issues for Hernandez), but the opportunity quickly outweighed those concerns as the two emerged as the best young weapons in the league. Gronk’s Hall of Fame-worthy resume — not to mention his charming boyish persona — covers just how good Hernandez was during his short tenure. During his three seasons, Hernandez produced 175 catches and 15 touchdowns. I can even admit that Hernandez was my favorite Patriot at the time not named Tom Brady, a bad one that was only countered by my anger when second-year Brady was named Bledsoe’s replacement over veteran Damon Huard. (Sorry, Tom!)
For Patriots fans, The Story of American Sports starts at the start of what would be a second consecutive losing season. (We’ll always have our Week 1 upset over the Bengals though!) The days of Brady and Belichick already feel like a lifetime ago. So you could argue that there is a fondness for reminiscing about the times we used to compete. But would you be more excited to see your favorite band get the Ryan Murphy treatment?
However, even though Hernandez’s Patriots career spanned more than half of the 10-episode season, for some reason only Belichick and owner Robert Kraft were used in any meaningful way. There are so-called actors playing Patriot legends like Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, and Jerod Mayo—but the credits are proof of that. After Dismissed and its meme-worthy gameplay, you almost have to appreciate it The Story of American Sports for not trying and finding someone to play one of the likes of Randy Moss or Julian Edelman. The lack of Patriots highlights is curious, as Hernandez’s time at the University of Florida featured Tim Tebow (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) and the sudden inclusion of Cam Newton stealing a computer, leading to his dismissal. at home in the group.
In what should be the conclusion of the trial threat, Brady is only shown twice. At one point, we see TB12 walking so fast that you can’t even get a good look at him, and after a conversation—which we can’t hear—with his then-wife, Gisele Bundchen, genius. only visible in the background, because you will not find a fake Gisele! Hernandez’s co-star Gronk is briefly played by actor Laith Wallschleger, who gives a straight voice. Saturday Night Live! “Aaron, what’s going on brother? They call me Gronk,” he says in his one true appearance. “You still meeting with the coach? That person is scary, bro. [Insert a very unsuccessful attempt at Gronk’s goofy laugh.]”
Gillette Stadium.
Speaking of coaching – and I’ll probably be in the minority here – I kicked Belichick’s picture. A performance from two-time Tony winner and Bloodlines alum Norbert Leo Butz arrives at an interesting time in Belichick’s career. For the first time in more than two decades, Belichick is not the head coach of the Patriots, and, in the twist of it all, he is becoming what he has long criticized: a member of the media. of news. Early in his new career, he has shown that he has a personality outside of the man of few words that we know and love, and has also ventured into the world of social media. InstaFace.
Maybe that’s a big lie The Story of American Sports It’s about Belichick in his prime, talking to Kraft about the Hernandez selection. The Belichick I know doesn’t ask for permission, especially from Kraft! The Patriots owner is probably responsible for the Belichick slander in the latest Apple TV+ documentary. The Royal Family. But Belichick is best portrayed as he blasts Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” in his office before going to practice. Butz excels like Belichick because he can bring real chops to the table and a little wink. He has a blast with Belichick’s unexpected musical moments, but also deals with times when the famously no-nonsense coach comes down hard on Hernandez. Sometimes it’s just what the troubled player needed—and sometimes it’s just what he didn’t. Fearing for his life, Hernandez approached Belichick to ask for a trade, believing he needed to get out of New England and the bad influences in his hometown of Connecticut. “You want me to sell you because you have environmental problems?” replied an angry Belichick. “Didn’t we tell you to stay away from those people? We just spent a lot of money on you, we built the offense around you and Gronk. The best football player, Hall of Fame quarterback, we’re going to win a lot of games. ”
Ultimately, this is what worries Patriots fans: Did the mission to win more games mean ignoring legitimate concerns? Never mind realizing how little we know those we root for each Sunday. “Maybe he just needs to grow up a little bit,” Belichick said of Hernandez’s struggles before drafting him. “I think we have the right culture for him. Tons, no harm.” Later, once Hernandez was arrested, Belichick closed the book on his former star in a press conference: “It’s time for the New England Patriots to move forward, and that includes doing what we’ve always done: building a winning football team that our fans can be proud of. That’s why we’re here.” He did just that, winning three more Super Bowls in the following years. However, Hernandez’s stain cannot be removed. Well, unless you’re a Patriots fan I ran into at the bar on another sunday wearing a Hernandez jersey.
However, it could be worse — you could be Urban Meyer! According to his picture on The Story of American SportsThe former University of Florida coach could be the next face of Murphy A monster series.
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