American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez tells the real-life story of the show’s titular NFL star, from his playing career to his downfall and ultimate murder conviction. While the late athlete’s playing career was understandably overshadowed by becoming a convicted murderer, he was once one of the country’s best at his position. After shining in at the college and professional level, Hernandez’s time as a pro athlete came to an abrupt end in his early twenties. However, like many pro athletes, he had an eye-catching ride to the top.

Josh Andrés Rivera leads the American Sports Story cast as Aaron Hernandez, with the actor responsible for portraying Hernandez’s tumultuous journey that ended in him taking his own life in prison in 2017. However, the angle of the biographical narrative pays a huge amount of attention to the main character’s sports journey, too, which was not without substance.

Aaron Hernandez Played Three Seasons With The Florida Gators In College

Hernandez was recruited from a Connecticut high school

An all-round athlete, Hernandez’s time at Bristol Central High School in Connecticut had him playing a variety of sports and positions. While he played wide receiver, tight end, and even a little on defense during his high school career, Hernandez was solidified as a tight end when he was recruited to play for the University of Florida. His first college season as a Gator was in 2007 and his last was in 2009.

Just as he would eventually do in the NFL, Hernandez wore the number 81 while at the University of Florida. According to Florida Gators, Hernandez’s father passed away during the recruitment process, but his new coaches helped him through the emotional time. His most prolific quarterback during his Gators career was another future NFL player: Tim Tebow (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger in American Sports Story). In total, Hernandez played 40 career games as a Florida Gator.

The star tight end set records as a Florida Gator

Hernandez’s time at Florida saw the emerging tight end becoming more involved with the team’s offensive unit as the seasons went by. Although he appeared in all 13 games of his freshman year, Hernandez only appeared as part of the starting lineup in 3 of them. The following season, he made 11 starts, and 13 in his final year as a Gator. His 2009 season set two impressive University of Florida records: most single-season catches by a Tight End (68), and most career catches by a Tight End (111).

In addition to his career statistics, Aaron Hernandez was the first Florida Gator to be presented with the John Mackey Award, which is presented yearly to the best collegiate tight end. By extension, this made Hernandez the first college player from the Southeastern Conference to receive the award. The emerging star also had two career games as a Gator when his receiving yards totaled over 100.

Why Aaron Hernandez Didn’t Return To Florida For His Senior Season

Coach Meyers didn’t want Hernandez back for his fourth and final year

NFL prospects only need to be at least three years removed from high school to be eligible for the NFL draft. Because of this, some players opt not to finish their college education and go pro early instead. It can be a difficult decision to make, but the choice was essentially taken out of Hernandez’s hands by the Florida Gators’ head coach, Urban Meyer. According to the Boston Globe, Meyer had grown frustrated with his star tight end due to Hernandez’s use of marijuana.

Despite Tebow’s attempts to dissuade Meyer from dropping Hernandez in the past, the head coach finally told the tight end, “You’re going to have to turn pro.” It was clear that Meyer didn’t want Hernandez back for the player to see out his senior year. So, he declared himself eligible for the draft after the 2009 college football season. He was taken in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL draft with the 113th overall pick.

Aaron Hernandez Played Three Seasons In The NFL With The New England Patriots

Concerns regarding Hernandez’s maturity led to him being drafted much later than expected

Due to various NFL teams’ concerns about Hernandez’s maturity, he was passed over by every franchise more than once during the draft. Overall, there were five other tight ends taken before the New England Patriots decided to take a gamble and select him. One of the players at Hernandez’s position who beat him to being drafted was Rob Gronkowski, who was also taken by New England.

All 5 Tight Ends Taken Before Aaron Hernandez In The 2010 NFL Draft

• Jermaine Gresham (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)
• Ed Dickson (Baltimore Ravens)
• Tony Moeaki (Kansas City Chiefs)
• Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)

Hernandez initially competed for the position of starting tight end. However, when it became clear how effective he was when used alongside Rob Gronkowski, head coach Bill Belichick began formulating bespoke plays that catered to both players’ presence on the field simultaneously. Hernandez’s involvement in the offensive strategy became more pronounced during his three-year tenure in New England. However, he was reportedly not well-liked in the Patriots’ locker room – despite his talent and work ethic.

Hernandez played in one Super Bowl and almost made it to another

According to ESPN, Hernandez’s professional career ended with the tight end boasting 175 receptions, 1,956 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. He was used a little in the Patriots’ rushing attack too, but ended his career with just 97 total yards on the ground. A reliable target for quarterback Tom Brady, Hernandez helped the Patriots to reach Super Bowl XVLI in 2012. While he started the game, New England lost 21-17 to the New York Giants.

Aaron Hernandez was relatively consistent with the points he scored across his three seasons as a pro athlete. He scored 36 points in his rookie year, a slightly increased total of 42 in 2011, and a career-low of 30 points in the 2012 season. In the offseason of 2013, Hernandez was arrested for the murder of semi-professional football player, Odin Lloyd. Understandably, Hernandez’s conviction meant he was sent to jail, where he took his own life in 2017.

When Aaron Hernandez’s Last NFL Game Was & What Happened

The tight end’s last game was a loss to Baltimore

Months before the tight end murdered Odin Lloyd, Aaron Hernandez was part of the starting lineup of the 2012 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. A win would have secured a second trip to the Super Bowl in two years, and Hernandez was on the field for every offensive snap. With Rob Gronkowski out injured, Hernandez’s fellow tight end came in the form of Michael Hoomanawanui, who was used far less prominently than his hurt counterpart.

Hernandez was thrown to 14 times in 2012 AFC Champion Game, and he caught 9 of those passes. He ended the game with 83 receiving yards and ran the ball for 6 yards. He failed to score in what would turn out to be his last game as a professional football player. The Patriots lost 28-13. With that, the professional career of the subject of American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez came to a sudden end and never resumed.

Sources:Florida Gators, Boston Globe, ESPN