FX’s American Sports Story, a true-crime series based on the life of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, aims to cover the turbulent journey of a player who rose to NFL stardom only to fall into scandal. Although the show strives to offer an authentic portrayal of Hernandez’s life, it has several inaccuracies that differ from documented events in both his career and personal life.
The story of Aaron Hernandez is one of a gifted athlete who faced both mental health struggles and complex legal issues. His life remains the subject of media coverage, including the American Sports Story series, which is based on the Gladiator podcast, following Hernandez from his time with the University of Florida Gators to the height of his NFL career with the New England Patriots.
Cam Newton’s Departure from the University of Florida: Incorrect Details in the Series
One of the first inaccuracies in American Sports Story involves Cam Newton’s departure from the University of Florida. Newton, a prominent college quarterback, was initially part of the Gators under head coach Urban Meyer. However, due to legal issues and an academic dishonesty incident, he ultimately transferred to Auburn University. In American Sports Story, the show dramatizes Meyer’s decision to remove Newton from the team, suggesting Newton was dismissed. In reality, Newton chose to leave for Auburn to continue his career, eventually leading him to win the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship. The show’s depiction adds unnecessary drama to Newton’s exit.
Aaron’s Brother, D.J. Hernandez, and College Football Struggles
The series tries to capture the shadow Aaron’s football career cast over his brother D.J., depicting D.J. as struggling to escape comparisons with his younger brother. American Sports Story shows D.J. facing setbacks when Aaron chose to join the University of Florida rather than the University of Connecticut, implying that D.J. faced demotion. However, sources reveal D.J. willingly moved to a wide receiver position in 2007, a decision he made on his own.
Fictionalized Account of the Double Homicide in Boston
One of the major elements of Hernandez’s legal issues revolves around the Boston double homicide. In 2012, two men, Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, were shot dead in their vehicle after reportedly spilling a drink on Hernandez. American Sports Story portrays Hernandez as actively plotting the crime and directly pulling the trigger, despite Hernandez’s insistence throughout the trial that Alexander Bradley, a former friend and drug dealer, was the real shooter. The trial largely relied on Bradley’s testimony, but Hernandez was acquitted of these charges in 2017.
The show also diverges from real events by depicting an encounter between Hernandez and de Abreu before the shooting, which added an unverified layer of confrontation. In reality, Hernandez claimed that he wasn’t present at the scene, and his attorneys argued that Bradley acted alone.
Fictional Allegations Against Aaron Hernandez’s Uncle
In another sensitive portrayal, the show implies that Hernandez’s uncle, Robert Valentine, may have abused him as a child. In reality, D.J. Hernandez’s book The Truth About Aaron and other sources only discuss childhood abuse by an unnamed neighbor, and there is no public record linking Hernandez’s uncle to such accusations. Valentine passed away in 2013, and his family never addressed any allegations involving him. The addition of this storyline in American Sports Story shifts attention from real-life events, adding a fictional narrative where none exists.
Overemphasis on Aaron’s Financial Struggles
American Sports Story suggests Hernandez experienced financial instability during his rookie year with the New England Patriots. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and signed a $2 million contract, including a $200,000 signing bonus, significantly lower than his expected bonus due to off-field concerns. Although Hernandez’s bonus structure was restructured as he developed in the NFL, the show exaggerates his complaints over money, highlighting a focus on salary issues that were less prominent in real life.
Portrayal of Chris Taylor as Aaron’s Secret Partner
Hernandez’s sexuality became a public discussion after his 2017 death when Dennis SanSoucie, Hernandez’s high school teammate, revealed details of their past relationship. American Sports Story introduces a fictional physical therapist, Chris Taylor, as a romantic partner during Hernandez’s time in the NFL. In reality, no such person has been confirmed, though American Sports Story cast and crew stated Taylor’s character is a fictional “composite” representing Hernandez’s rumored relationships with men. This portrayal, while fictional, helps explain certain complexities of Hernandez’s life that have surfaced in recent years.
Altered Details of Hernandez’s Conflict with His Mother’s Boyfriend
American Sports Story shows Hernandez physically confronting Jeff Cummings, who dated his mother after Hernandez’s father passed away. The real-life tension between Hernandez and Cummings stemmed from Cummings’ previous marriage to Hernandez’s cousin. In 2010, an incident with Cummings left Hernandez’s mother, Terri, with injuries; however, there is no record of Hernandez directly confronting Cummings. Instead, Cummings was arrested, and his relationship with Terri ended shortly after. The series’ fictional addition of a physical altercation between Hernandez and Cummings alters a complex family situation.
Settling the Bradley Dispute: Exaggerated Drama
In 2013, Alexander Bradley, Hernandez’s former associate, was found shot in the face, and Bradley alleged Hernandez was responsible. American Sports Story dramatizes the incident with an exaggerated negotiation, depicting Hernandez’s agent attempting to settle with Bradley for $2.5 million, which is inaccurate. In reality, Hernandez and Bradley settled out of court in 2016, with no disclosure of the settlement’s value. Text messages submitted during Hernandez’s trial show the hostility between him and Bradley but lack the intense negotiation presented in the show.
Misleading Portrayal of Hernandez’s Firearm Collection
In American Sports Story, Hernandez is shown stockpiling an extensive collection of firearms, presumably due to growing concerns over his safety. The show references real text exchanges between Hernandez and Bradley, hinting that Hernandez threatened Bradley with firearms. However, police reports reveal only two firearms discovered at the time of Hernandez’s arrest. Although Hernandez’s fixation on security may have influenced the story, the portrayal of an excessive weapon cache exaggerates the situation beyond what was documented.
