FX’s American Sports Story concludes its first season by tackling the final chapter of Aaron Hernandez’s tumultuous life and controversial death in the aptly titled episode, “Who Killed Aaron Hernandez?”. Airing Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10/9c, the episode is expected to bring a dramatic conclusion to the series’ examination of the former NFL star’s downfall.
The episode’s title, ‘Who Killed Aaron Hernandez?’, suggests an exploration of the factors contributing to his downfall, including the legal battles he faced, and the apparent psychological turmoil that preceded his suicide. While the broad strokes of the story are well-known, American Sports Story aims to offer some new insights, particularly regarding Hernandez’s mental state and the possible role of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in his actions.
The series has featured Josh Rivera as Aaron Hernandez, Ean Castellanos as DJ Hernandez, and Norbert Leo Butz as Bill Belichick, and this episode will likely feature their performances as the story reaches its tragic climax. Whether the series manages to effectively portray the nuances of such a complicated and sensitive subject is likely to be a point of discussion after the episode airs.
American Sports Story is designed as an anthology series, indicating that future seasons will turn their lens to other figures and events in the sports world. Whether this format works for American Sports Story may depend on the reception to this first season and its handling of the Hernandez story. For now, the finale represents a crucial test for the show, challenging it to deliver a satisfying conclusion to a story that continues to fascinate and disturb.
Tune in Tuesday, November 12th at 10/9c on FX for the season finale of American Sports Story.
“Who Killed Aaron Hernandez?” is written by Stuart Zicherman & Tracey Scott Wilson and directed by Michael Uppendahl. American Sports Story is produced by 20th Television. Executive producers are Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Stuart Zicherman.
