American Sports Story: Episode 3 – “Pray the Gay Away”
The latest installment of American Sports Story titled “Pray the Gay Away”delves into the complex narrative surrounding Aaron Hernandez, drawing parallels to his relationship with Christianity through teammate Tim Tebow. Portrayed by Josh Rivera, Hernandez was a once-prominent tight end in collegiate and NFL history, who faced grave accusations including the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2015. Previous episodes have set the stage by outlining Hernandez’s challenging childhood, troubled family dynamics, and meteoric rise as a Florida Gator before he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010.
Hernandez’s College Stardom
This episode chronicles Hernandez’s ascent to fame at the University of Florida, emphasizing his talent under the coaching of Urban Meyer. The Gators, under Meyer’s guidance, clinched two BCS National Championships during Hernandez’s tenure, though his participation was limited to the 2008 victory. The segment also dives into Hernandez’s sexual identity struggles as well as his head injuries, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of stage 3 CTE in 2017.
Hernandez’s Conflicts on the Field
Portrayal of Impulsivity
In a pivotal scene from episode 3, Urban Meyer benches Hernandez due to his disruptive behavior, which includes arriving at practice under the influence of marijuana. Despite being a contender for the coveted John Mackey Award for the best collegiate tight end, Meyer sought to remind Hernandez of the consequences of his actions.
Meyer assigns Jordan Reed to take Hernandez’s place in practice, but the scenario escalates when Hernandez, unable to restrain his aggressive tendencies, tackles Reed.
However, this incident is fictional; the scuffle never occurred in reality.
Jordan Reed’s Football Journey
Jordan Reed, who played for the Florida Gators from 2009 to 2012, was initially recruited as a quarterback before transitioning to tight end. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Reed enjoyed a successful seven-season career, later signing with the 49ers before his retirement in 2021 due to repetitive concussions. His playing style and physicality often drew comparisons to Hernandez, and he was recognized with a Pro Bowl selection in 2016.
Tim Tebow’s SEC Championship Game Interception
The Game’s Turning Point
In a key moment, American Sports Story portrays Tebow targeting Hernandez in the endzone during the 2009 SEC Championship Game, resulting in an interception by Javier Arenas. While this play did indeed take place, it was inaccurately dramatized as the concluding play of the game, despite being around 12 minutes left and the score heavily favoring Alabama at 32-13.
The episode missed an opportunity to highlight Tebow’s emotional response at the end of the game, particularly his memorable kneeling moment as Florida’s national title aspirations crumbled.
Urban Meyer’s Health Crisis
A Dramatic Retelling of Events
American Sports Story depicts Urban Meyer collapsing after the loss, but the reality is more complex. Following the 2009 SEC Championship, a 911 call was made from Meyer’s home around 4:30 a.m. ET, reporting chest pains. Initially conscious, Meyer fell back into unconsciousness after attempting to rise. The portrayal omits these finer details of his hospitalization that followed a wake-up call for his health.
Meyer eventually decided to resign after this incident but postponed his departure to coach the Sugar Bowl in January 2010, contradicting the dramatization in the series.
A Deeper Dive into the Hernandez Narrative
Netflix’s Insights into Florida Football
Untold: Swamp Kings, a recent Netflix docuseries, provides a more grounded look into the University of Florida’s football history between 2005 and 2010, contrasting sharply with the fictionalized storytelling of American Sports Story. This four-part exploration provides insights from team members about their journeys and the collective effort to achieve greatness.
While Aaron Hernandez is mentioned and featured in archival footage, the focus remains on the broader team dynamics rather than sensationalized accounts of scandal. For those seeking factual recounts and deeper understanding, Untold: Swamp Kings steers clear of dramatic retellings.
For audiences intrigued by a narrative that emphasizes theatricality, American Sports Story presents a compelling yet dramatized version of events.
Source: ESPN
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