American Sports Story has quickly become popular because it portrays NFL star Aaron Hernandez’s controversial life. The show takes a deep dive into the footballer’s journey, rife with disastrous events. It depicts Hernandez’s path to stardom and his infamous downfall.
Episode 5 of American Sports Story is titled The Man. It fixates on Hernandez’s initial days with the New England Patriots. However, every story adapted for the screen is dramatized to some extent as it takes certain liberties with the true story. Some events are kept true to the real-life story, while some are altered to make it a more dramatic watch.
This article discusses the major changes made by American Sports Story in episode 5. These changes add excitement to the plot and alter how certain moments are viewed or understood, so viewers should take them with a grain of salt.
American Sports Story: Hernandez’s naked walk on the Patriots’ practice field
American Sports Story might have stretched their liberties in one scene in episode 5. In one of the scenes, Josh Rivera’s Aaron Hernandez is seen walking naked on the Patriots’ practice field. However, this does not happen in real life.
Hernandez is told to get shoulder pads from the field while showering, and he walks out to the field without any clothes on. This scene is portrayed as some kind of rookie hazing ritual, where every rookie has to obey everything they are asked to do.
Conversely, there is no real-life evidence or reports that Hernandez did that.
His first NFL touchdown and financial condition in his rookie season
Aaron Hernandez's first NFL touchdown was not some routine catch as depicted in American Sports Story. It was more remarkable in reality.
In 2010, during a game against the Cleveland Browns, Hernandez caught a tipped ball deflected by the defense. Even before the ball could go out of bounds, Hernandez grabbed it and scored his first NFL touchdown. The show downplays this and even changes its celebration.
In real life, Hernandez jumped in the air to celebrate, but in the show, he is seen spinning the football and digging an imaginary grave.
Additionally, during his rookie season, as depicted in the show, Hernandez complains about not having money in one of the scenes. He is shown blaming his NFL contract for not paying him enough.
However, according to reports, Aaron Hernandez signed a contract worth $2.378 million over four years with a $200,000 signing bonus. This means he had a lot of money coming in during his rookie season. For dramatic purposes, the show exaggerates his financial condition to make it seem like he is struggling.
The fictional Chris Taylor and fight with Jeff Cummings
American Sports Story introduces a character named Chris Taylor, a physical therapist with a love interest for Hernandez. Chris is shown as someone working at Brian Murphy's Athletes First training facility. However, there was no such person in Hernandez’s life.
Though a real Chris Taylor played for the Patriots in 2010, he has nothing to do with the fictional Chris Taylor in the show. The show had reportedly invented this character to add depth to Hernandez’s personal struggles, especially around his sexuality.
Another dramatic scene in American Sports Story episode 5 is Hernandez assaulting Jeff Cummings. Jeff Cummings is the man who slashed Aaron's mother, Terri Hernandez, in the face.
Even though the slashing incident happened, Hernandez did not fight Cummings. Hernandez did not get the opportunity to hurt Cummings as he was arrested already and sentenced to two years in prison.
American Sports Story: Hernandez’s injury after his 43-yard run against the Broncos
American Sports Story shows Hernandez rushing for a 43-yard gain during a game against the Denver Broncos in episode 5. However, the show alters this event a bit by showing that he gets severely injured in his head afterward.
In reality, he was not injured at all. The show did this, possibly to link it to Hernandez’s diagnosis of CTE later in his life. However, this exaggeration has no real-life evidence.
In conclusion, the several changes made and the creative liberties American Sports Story took in episode 5 were all done to dramatize the story even more and add to it. Viewers should remember this while watching the series to separate fact from fiction.
For more on American Sports Story, read: American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez cast and character guide
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