As I reflect upon the lives portrayed in “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” it’s evident that these individuals were shaped by forces both internal and external. Aaron Hernandez, a talented athlete with a promising future, was unfortunately burdened by toxic homophobia and the relentless pressure of football. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles many face when societal expectations clash with personal identity.
[This story contains spoilers from the fifth episode of American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, “The Man.”]
Norbert Leo Butz, a two-time Tony winner, inquired about who Bill Belichick is when he discovered he was among the potential actors for the role of the renowned New England Patriots coach in Ryan Murphy’s FX miniseries American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. He admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that, despite being a fervent baseball and hockey fan, football was never his preferred sport.
Apart from being well-acquainted with Bill Belichick, Domonique Foxworth, our staff writer, has firsthand experience of playing football at a professional level, having excelled in high school, college, and the NFL. Additionally, he held positions within the NFL Players Association, and continues to be an influential figure in the sport through his podcast, “The Domonique Foxworth Show” on ESPN.
Initially working as a consultant on the FX series, Foxworth later moved into the writers’ room, providing significant insights on the broader sports themes portrayed in the show, including those explored by Aaron Hernandez. Episode five, titled “The Man,” which focused on Josh Rivera’s entry into the NFL, served as Foxworth’s chance to further develop showrunner Stu Zicherman’s overall vision for the series and to educate viewers about the sport and real-life participants.
Foxworth remarks, “I’ve been immersed in sports since day one, having played professionally and being involved with both football and basketball unions. What I found particularly intriguing about this narrative is that it allows for a portrayal of various aspects of an athlete, as well as different facets of the broader professional sports world.
Put simply, episode five serves as a turning point in the 10-part series, according to Foxworth. “For me, it was a significant episode and I was thrilled to be part of it since we delved into various aspects that I wanted to explore,” he explains. “Football has its triumphs, but also challenges like managing stardom and handling the pressure. Aaron Hernandez faced unique struggles in these areas, and this was our first genuine look at professional football.
As a fresh-faced rookie footballer, I got my first taste of the professional game’s reality when I shared a shower with my teammates after our first practice. Pumped up about my performance, I boasted to my fellow players, “Let me tell you, I’ve got that connection with Brady, man!” But just as I was basking in my own glory, an experienced player interjected, reminding me, “Hey rookie, you still have to wear the pads.
Coach Meyer explained, “I must keep an eye on you.” He mentioned that as soon as you’re out of sight, there’s bound to be trouble. However, he assures you that he won’t do that. It’s not his role, he adds with a bit of space between them. Then, he approaches and gazes intently into Hernandez’s eyes. “This is a team for grown men,” he says firmly, before departing.
Foxworth points out that the chat with Belichick serves as a significant reference. In essence, it highlights several aspects about Aaron. It’s a fascinating journey, transitioning from a dependent child to the primary source of income in your family, and being expected to act like an adult without any prior warning. This was particularly true for Aaron on that team, where high expectations were already set due to their past successes. Many veterans knew exactly what was required of you. So, within the locker room and beyond, Aaron was presumed to be a grown-up or an adult, a role he hadn’t been prepared for before. Nobody had ever expected this from him, taught him, or shown him how. This was consistent throughout his college and high school years; people only saw in Aaron what he could provide them.
In episode five, unlike some of the more serious moments we’ve seen, I found Coach Belichick casually ensconced in his office, a pencil perched above his right ear, clad in his signature gray New England Patriots Equipment hoodie, grooving to Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life.” This side of Belichick, which he usually keeps hidden from the media, was fascinatingly brought to light by Butz during his research.
According to Butz, Belichick had a deep affection for rock concerts and a close-knit circle of friends – aspects of his personality not commonly seen during his six Super Bowl championship coaching tenure with the Patriots. This more tender side was likely unknown to Aaron, as well. It seems that Belichick’s tough exterior, which many perceived as unapproachable, was strategically crafted and remarkably effective.
Nevertheless, Butz is straightforward about the purpose of his portrayal. “The story here is about Aaron Hernandez,” he explains, “so we’re focusing on Coach Belichick during the years when he provided a spot for Aaron in the Patriots. It’s important to recall that Aaron Hernandez was a fourth-round draft pick. Most teams were hesitant about him, but it was part of Belichick’s strategic brilliance to see potential in him and take a chance.
Looking back on it now, I can’t help but feel it wasn’t the smartest decision for me as a gamer to return to the Patriots’ team. It was like stepping into a trap, setting off a chain reaction that should have never been set off. The closer I got to that questionable crew I had ties with before, the more trouble I seemed to attract. And the massive contract I received? That money only fueled the fire of my downfall. It’s a tragic tale, indeed.
As a young gamer, barely 20 or 21, I found myself thrust into an unprecedented situation. With no backup, neither emotional nor financial resources, I was handed the keys to a powerhouse team under the unyielding guidance of Coach Belichick, known for his tough love. The sport I loved, at that time, seemed to be brushing off concerns about CTE and brain injuries under the rug. It was a perfect storm, testing every ounce of my resilience and determination.
Essentially, Foxworth points out that as you move forward in life, some people naturally drift away. He shares this insight from his own journey, growing up in Maryland, playing football there at both high school and college levels, and being drafted by the Denver Broncos. The transition from college to professional sports can lead to a physical separation, like being in Colorado while your friends are in Baltimore, making it harder to maintain those relationships. This move allows you to evolve into a different or more mature version of yourself, as you’re venturing out on your own and figuring things out independently. However, this wasn’t the case for Aaron, as he remained close to his roots.
Moreover, Butz emphasizes the “harmful homophobia” Aaron was exposed to during his upbringing, which, combined with football, placed a significant burden on his shoulders. In his view, Aaron’s sexuality was not fixed but rather fluid. However, the hypermasculine culture of football and his Puerto Rican father’s perspective significantly stigmatized this aspect of him, leading to immense fear, insecurity, and paranoia.
Foxworth suggests that the increased focus on Shayanna Jenkins (Jaylen Barron), who was Hernandez’s fiancée and the mother of his daughter, and who had adopted Hernandez’s surname before his demise, provides valuable insights into Hernandez during episode five. “In stories like this that are based on real events,” he explains, “it’s crucial to have characters who embody various aspects of the story. Aaron’s life takes many turns, and I believe Shay was meant to depict another one.” He further adds, “One of the most compelling aspects of having Shay in the story is it illustrates that despite being the closest person to him, due to his life, Hernandez could never truly be open with anyone, not even the mother of his daughter.
To emulate Bill Belichick, Butz underwent a four-hour makeup session. “Ryan Murphy collaborates with some of the most skilled makeup and hair artists in the industry. From ‘The O.J. Story’ to ‘Versace’, they are masters at creating lifelike replicas. The process was lengthy for me. I share some similarities with him, particularly being sons of first-generation European immigrants – he’s Croatian and my father is German. Over the years, Belichick has spent countless hours on the football field, which has given him a rugged, weathered appearance with deep lines. To achieve this look, we needed to texture his skin extensively. He has sparse hair, so we used a bald cap and then a wig on top of that. Although he’s not tall, he is broad-shouldered and muscular, much like myself. To enhance this, they added 30 extra pounds to my frame.
He goes on to say, “It was quite an ordeal, I must admit. And there are times when getting summoned at 3 a.m. makes for some pretty tough days. Yet, they’re incredibly proficient in their work, so when I look at myself in the mirror, I find myself excitedly saying, ‘Alright, let’s get this show on the road!’
As Butz honed his Belichick grimace, he found it particularly tough to make the future Pro Football Hall of Famer’s muffled, unclear speech understandable. However, he believes it was the sound team who truly overcame a massive hurdle in achieving this feat.
New football fan Butz offers an honest assessment of Belichick, pointing out it’s a critical one, not a personal attack. He believes the issue lies deeper in the structure of the league itself. He hopes that through this show, sports media, and findings from medical research, we can improve the sport to ensure the well-being of its athletes.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez releases new episodes Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX and Hulu.
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2024-10-09 06:25