As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of sports journalism, I must say that “Aaron Hernandez” is a captivating series, but it treads a fine line between portraying queer characters and reinforcing toxic masculinity stereotypes. The interweaving of real-life events with fictional narrative can be compelling, yet it risks oversimplifying the complexities of Aaron’s journey.
This is a positive stride we’re making. The series “Consequences, With Extreme Prejudice” might carry over some issues from the first episode such as broad dialogue and a scarcity of nuance. However, with the transition from Bristol to Gainesville, American Sports Story can finally delve into the “sports story” aspect. Moreover, the topic of college athletes evading punishment for their actions, whether figuratively or literally, presents an intriguing subject matter for investigation.
Just as in the previous installment, this one starts off with a puzzling jump ahead in time, but quickly falls back into sequence. As I find myself embroiled in the 2007 spring practice, my reckless banter on the field lands me in hot water, given the meticulous nature of Coach Urban Meyer and his high expectations for our playbook mastery. To make matters worse, my brother D.J. persistently urges me to switch to UConn, a proposition I’m not ready to entertain. Fortunately, I forge some bonds with teammates like Cam Newton and Maurkice Pouncey. Even without their camaraderie, it’s clear that I wouldn’t dream of transferring. Instead, I prefer to challenge myself against the elite rather than settle for a less inspiring path, even if a starting spot at UConn meant uninterrupted game time.
On their first night out, the evening for the group escalates into violence swiftly. At a nearby Gators bar, the situation between Aaron and the bartender takes an aggressive turn following a dispute over the bill, culminating in Aaron striking the bartender. It’s notable that this account of the incident reveals the bartender to be gay; earlier in the night, Aaron had singled him out while joking with his friends about who in the bar might be homosexual. The internalized homophobia seen throughout the story of Aaron Hernandez is evident here, and it’s clear that this prejudice played a role. Additionally, there’s an undercurrent of racism in this interaction, as the bartender addressed Aaron using the term “chico,” a phrase that manipulates our sympathies just before Aaron lands the punch.
However, Aaron escapes significant repercussions due to Huntley Johnson’s (Jeffrey Nordling) help, who acts as a sort of unofficial defense attorney for the Gators. Johnson’s presence at the crime scene is a great relief to Aaron, as he is released without handcuffs and given the word that no charges will be filed against him. This marks one of several instances where Aaron Hernandez manages to avoid punishment.
I, as a supporter, find that Nordling brings a delightfully quirky vibe to Johnson, who passionately declares his loyalty to the Gators and sees himself as a “helpful fan” when needed. From his standpoint, it’s challenging for football players not to encounter some trouble every now and then, given the spotlight they find themselves under, both locally and nationally. In his eyes, the most effective way to navigate such situations is by following Johnson’s lead – using connections to smooth things over, like offering the district attorney VIP sideline seats as a “thank you” gesture for her understanding and leniency.
The title “Consequences, With Extreme Prejudice” implies the story revolves around Aaron’s college experience where he learns the wrong life lessons. Urban Meyer, who seems like an ideal role model, fails to correct Aaron after a major mistake. Despite receiving a motivational speech from Meyer following dinner, Aaron continues to admire him. However, Meyer’s tale about his stern father, who punished him harshly for striking out in Little League, reinforces a questionable parenting style that is not common. Instead of recognizing his father as abusive, Aaron remains enamored with this figure of authority.
At the start of Aaron’s first academic year in fall 2007, issues with the law were escalating for the Gators team. In fact, no less than five players had been arrested this very month. Among them was team leader Tony Joiner, who had stolen a car from an impound lot (and who, tragically, received a 25-year prison sentence last year due to the death of his girlfriend). This development has certainly raised concerns within the booster club.
The initial football season for fall kicks off impressively for Aaron, as he outshines Western Kentucky University. He enjoys the limelight that comes with it, but there’s a hidden truth: he’s uncomfortable in his own skin, as shown when he feels uneasy during intimate moments while his teammates are freely enjoying themselves nearby. Rather than engaging with campus admirers, Aaron prefers secretive interactions with men through online platforms. In the final act, his newfound stardom and accompanying anxiety surface. Fearing someone might have spotted him, he abruptly cancels the scheduled rendezvous and leaves.
The portrayal of Aaron Hernandez’s sexuality in this series is heavily emphasizing the gay angle, suggesting a man who appeared to have little interest in women and was predominantly attracted to men. However, it’s important to note that in real life, his sexuality remains unclear, with some friends, like Dennis SanSoucie, sharing stories indicating such tendencies.
This selection could spark disagreement among certain audiences, considering the potential ramifications of Hernandez’s actions. I must admit that I find myself questioning the perspective; while much of this content appears grounded in truth, with numerous elements derived from the “Gladiator” podcast, the editing and narrative construction seem to overtly connect queerness to harmful masculinity and, unfortunately, violent behavior.
The program keeps me engaged more effectively when it delves into the intricacies of college sports, such as the blend of anguish and triumph experienced when a friend and teammate gets injured, leading to increased playing time. An incident involving Aaron and the law for a second time (and again utilizing the program’s safeguards) occurs after a five-game losing streak during the season, triggered by a visit from his senior friends Carlos Ortiz and Bo.
Essentially, Aaron Hernandez has been generally successful in not making a clear divide between his teammates and some of his rough associates from his hometown (Bo and Ortiz, who were both imprisoned). However, it’s important to note that this episode reveals that Aaron was far from the only player involved in illegal activities, as many others were also recipients of Johnson’s bribes. While Cam Newton never engaged in acts such as shooting people outside a nightclub, the protective system that shields him from minor offenses like stealing a laptop is the same one safeguarding Aaron from more severe crimes.
It’s uncertain how the incident unfolded since many details are still murky, but it appears that Ortiz’s hostile behavior in the bar might have ignited the fight that ultimately resulted in a shooting. This altercation could be retaliation for the theft of one of the Pouncey twins’ chain. Later on, we find Aaron being interrogated by the police, bringing us back to where our story began.
The number of arrests keeps growing, and UF President Bernie Machen mentioned Aaron, Cam, Jamar Hornsby, Jermaine Cunningham, and what seems to be Jacques Rickerson or perhaps Richardson in his statement. Coach Meyer, who tends to worry excessively about the potential consequences of inaction, feels compelled to demonstrate discipline by punishing someone. Who among them could serve as a sacrificial lamb to reassure everyone else? Certainly not the rising talent at tight end.
The portrayal of Cam Newton as the scapegoat has a compelling narrative, though it may not have unfolded exactly that way in actuality. There’s a hint of irony in Meyer’s conversation with Aaron, where he warns him about the repercussions of his actions, yet later imposes a light suspension at a future date. When Aaron exits, now free once more, he receives applause. Did he learn his lesson?
The End Zone
In the football scenes, Director Carl Franklin captures the action in a raw, gritty style with a grained and stylistic appearance. This might be intended to evoke the feel of broadcast games. Although I don’t dislike it, I would have appreciated a more authentic or naturalistic atmosphere instead.
It seems that there are some inconsistencies in this narrative. In actuality, Cornelius Ingram didn’t injure his knee until the fall practice of the 2008 football season, which led to Hernandez taking over. The incident involving Cam Newton’s arrest didn’t occur until November 2008; however, he did steal a laptop and attempted to hide it by throwing it out of his dorm window humorously and unsuccessfully. Aaron missed the Hawaii game at the start of the 2008 season, but it was due to a failed drug test rather than the reason suggested here.
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2024-09-18 07:54