American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Who was the ex-NFL star's alleged high school boyfriend? Their relationship explored 

Josh Andrés Rivera plays Aaron Hernandez in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (Image Source: FX)
Josh Andrés Rivera plays Aaron Hernandez in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (Image Source: FX)

The new anthology series on FX titled American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is gathering viewers' attention as it explores the rise and fall of the former NFL player. Before Aaron Hernandez entered the criminal world, he made a name by playing football at the University of Florida.

Following his passion for the game, Aaron Hernandez became the tight end for the New England Patriots and was expected to achieve greater things in his career. However, Hernandez had already become a violent personality and was involved in multiple criminal activities.

As shown in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez the former NFL player was a conflicted personality. He had complex relationships with his family and friends, and Netflix's Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez also revealed Hernandez's relationship with his schoolmate Dennis SanSoucie.


What did Dennis SanSoucie reveal about his relationship with Aaron Hernandez?

Aaron Hernandez allegedly had a boyfriend (Image Source: FX)
Aaron Hernandez allegedly had a boyfriend (Image Source: FX)

In Netflix's 2020 documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, the subject's schoolmate Dennis SanSoucie claimed that he was romantically involved with Hernandez, and the two had to keep it from everyone. SanSoucie and Hernandez became friends while playing football at Bristol Central High School, and they gradually went from friends to secret lovers.

Dennis SanSoucie shed light on his "on and off-relationship from seventh grade to junior year of high school" with Aaron Hernandez, and also shared their fathers were both "homophobic". This didn't allow Hernandez and SanSoucie to publicly pursue a romantic relationship. The deceased NFL player's ex-boyfriend added:

"After doing it, it was like, “F—, did someone catch us? Did someone know? Dude, if we get caught, it’s ruined. Our parents are going to disown us."

The newly released American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is also a deep dive into the life of Aaron Hernandez who died by suicide inside the jail. After his death, it was revealed that Hernandez was struggling with CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) a neurodegenerative disease majorly associated with athletes.


What crimes did Aaron Hernandez commit? Exploring the life of the NFL player in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez

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As seen in FX's American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, Hernandez's violent nature contributed the most to his downfall. He was involved in the first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd and was also suspected of two different shootings.

Lloyd was the boyfriend of Hernandez’s fiancée’s sister. His dead body was discovered in an industrial area in 2013, and video evidence from that area proved Hernandez's involvement in the crime. The former NFL player was found guilty in 2015 and was given a lifetime sentence in prison.

The murder charges weren't the only criminal activities Hernandez participated in, as he became violent in college. He indulged in fights at the University of Florida and was even using dr*gs. Hernandez had the opportunity to make a triumphant career in football but chose the wrong path at an early age.


Why did Aaron Hernandez die by suicide?

Fans and viewers must wait till October 29, 2024, to watch the finale of American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, as FX has only released the first two episodes of the anthology series. The series will end with eight episodes concluding the controversial case of the subject.

Following the arrest and lifetime sentence in jail, Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in 2017. He was found dead by authorities, and further examination disclosed his battle with CTE. According to Today.com, neuropathologist Dr. Ann McKee explained the severity of Hernandez's brain disease and said it "was the worst CTE I have seen in a person who died at that age".

CTE is a serious brain disease that causes memory loss and affects the thinking ability of a human. It has four stages and Hernandez was on the third, which causes memory loss and weakens the ability to recognize people.


American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is streaming on FX on Hulu.

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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu