American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez may focus on the story of its titular athlete, but it also features a fictionalized version of his older brother – Dennis “DJ” Hernandez. Played by Ean Castellanos in the American Sports Story cast, DJ Hernandez played a big part in his brother’s formative years. After Aaron turned down the opportunity to play with his older sibling at UConn in favor of a spot on the roster at the University of Florida, the dynamic between the two brothers becomes strained in the show.

DJ played five seasons at the collegiate level (via UConn), transitioning to wide receiver for his final two years after starting at quarterback the previous three. He isn’t one of the many NFL players in American Sports Story, as the older Hernandez brother never made it to the professional level. After Aaron’s death, DJ Hernandez had his own views about why his brother took his own life in prison as well as his criminal exploits. DJ’s life and relationship with the law remain tumultuous to this day.

DJ Hernandez Had His Own Criminal Issues After Aaron’s Death

Aaron’s brother has made several threats to various organizations

Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in prison in 2017, almost two years to the day after he was sentenced for the murder of Odin Lloyd. Since then, his brother had gone on to have his own run-ins with the law for various – but similar – reasons. For instance, in 2023, DJ was arrested for threatening to shoot up Brown University and UConn (Via Turn to 10) – the latter being the college for which he played. TMZ also reports he has driven recklessly, and also threw a brick at ESPN’s Bristol campus.

Prior to his arrest for threatening the act of violence at UConn, Stylecaster reports that Hernandez sent a message to a woman in his life that read, “I’ve died for years now and now it’s other people’s turn.” In addition, he also attached a note to the brick hurled at the ESPN building which read, “To all media outlets, It’s about time you all realize the [effect] media has on all family members.” DJ Hernandez’s criminal issues after his brother’s death and subsequent coverage of the occurrence would seem to be related, but this is unconfirmed.

What DJ Hernandez Has Said About Aaron & His Death

The older Hernandez brother thinks Aaron’s CTE contributed to the NFL star’s actions

As well as criticizing the media’s role in Aaron Hernandez’s case, DJ has also voiced other opinions. Many of these are included in his book, published after the death of his brother: The Truth About Aaron: My Journey to Understand My Brother. In the book, DJ mentions his brother’s CTE diagnosis, which was only discovered after Aaron’s death. An unfortunately common brain injury among football players, it’s caused by multiple blows to the head, which DJ claims was a relatively common occurrence even before football.

“
Many years later, I’m left to wonder. Was this the first hit of many that affected my brother’s brain
?”

Instances as seemingly innocent as playing with friends would often result in such an event for Aaron. According to Boston University, CTE (Chronic trauma encephalopathy) can result in symptoms such as “impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, suicidality,” and more. So, there could be some merit to DJ Hernandez’s theory. However, Aaron’s brother also pointed out that the death of their father may also have contributed to Aaron’s unpredictable personality, which led to his crimes and eventual death.

Where Is DJ Hernandez Now?

DJ is still often in trouble with the law

According to Boston, DJ Hernandez’s post-college career took him into coaching. He had stints as a position coach at Brown and Iowa but was also appointed head coach at Ledyard High School in Connecticut after a brief break from football where he spent a few years running a roofing business in Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, his issues with the law in the wake of his brother’s death continue. While he hasn’t killed anyone, many of his arrests have been due to the threat of doing so, and most also seem connected with Aaron Hernandez’s suicide.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez follows part of DJ Hernandez’s journey, but because the main character is his brother – whose story ends during his incarceration – the older Hernandez sibling’s criminal acts aren’t the show’s priority. That being said, Aaron’s fate appears to have triggered at least some of DJ’s crimes and, according to ESPN, “deteriorating mental health.” Because American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is now set so long ago, DJ’s current situation isn’t particularly relevant to the narrative.

Sources: UConn, Turn to 10, TMZ, Stylecaster,Boston University, Boston, ESPN