As a long-time sports enthusiast and psychology aficionado, I find myself deeply engrossed in the complex dynamics unfolding between Aaron and D.J. in this series. The brotherly bond they share is reminiscent of many relationships I’ve witnessed in my years of coaching and counseling.
Each February, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hosts a week-long event where NFL evaluators put college football players through intense testing to gauge their physical and mental toughness before the upcoming NFL Draft. Known as the NFL Scouting Combine, this unique tradition is both intriguing and essential. In essence, it provides the perfect backdrop for an episode of a series titled “American Sports Story“. I’d eagerly consume a full documentary about it.
Among all episodes of Aaron Hernandez, “Birthday Money” stands out as my favorite, largely due to the way it employs the title character as a stand-in for viewers navigating the puzzling, pressure-filled pre-draft stage. The episode starts off with an unsettling flashback sequence – more on that in a bit – before plunging headlong into a series of scenes showing various agents treating Aaron and his brother to lavish meals, all claiming they can send him anywhere. Being easily swayed by flattery, Aaron seems to require someone who will give him straight talk. And there steps in Brian Murphy (Thomas Sadoski), who alerts Aaron that his first-round talent won’t compensate for certain issues off the field.
Forget the first round — if Aaron wants to be chosen at all, he’ll need to make a great impression at the Scouting Combine. But before the episode gets to that big event, it takes time to build some mystique. Prior to facing the intense reality of the showcase, Aaron trains for four weeks with the agency in Laguna Hills, California, with D.J. along for moral support. Training entails re-watching clips of interceptions and incomplete passes from his last three years of college football, taking accountability for his errors and becoming more “coachable.” It also means sitting through long interviews and answering ridiculous questions designed to rile him up, like “Are you in a gang?” and “Do you fuck cows?”
During this event, people tend to act very seriously, but it can seem quite absurd. As one participant commented, “I understand why they call this a slave auction.” The way players are examined by medical and sports professionals can feel degrading. However, these evaluations aren’t always accurate predictors of success. For instance, some studies have challenged the effectiveness of using 40-yard dash times to determine professional achievement. Similarly, mental tests like the Wonderlic test, which Aaron fails, aren’t always helpful. Nevertheless, Aaron’s low score suggests he may struggle with social maturity, and research shows that players who score below average are more likely to get arrested twice as often.
In this crucial interview, much is at stake for Aaron as he performs exceptionally well, demonstrating warmth, humor, and respect towards his interviewers while also discussing the impact of Tim Tebow on his spiritual journey that led him to clean up his act. However, when the topic of his father arises, he appears emotionally fragile as a sudden hallucination of Dennis Hernandez emerges, hurling derogatory comments and expressing disgust. This incident leaves Aaron’s future in question.
In addition to the football aspect, this story delves deeply into two significant character aspects of Aaron. One of these is Aaron’s sexuality, which plays a crucial role in his ongoing challenges. The narrative introduces Chris, a new love interest for Aaron, who is a physical therapist at Murphy’s agency and happens to be a resident of California, suggesting a shared lifestyle or perspective with Aaron. Chris’s casual remark about staying in California because “people are more relaxed” subtly indicates a mutual understanding between him and Aaron.
From the very start when Chris debuts, it’s clear where the story is heading: numerous sensual stretching sequences that make Aaron squirm due to his obvious discomfort over his growing attraction. During the performance, Chris manages to put Aaron at ease, paying him a visit in his room and initiating a kiss (followed by more) after Aaron expresses his tension about the mounting pressure he’s experiencing.
It’s a bit unusual to incorporate a complex character in this particular part. As for the initial scene of the episode, it’s a flashback to D.J.’s near encounter with his brother being potentially molested by their uncle Bobby on his sixth birthday. The actual D.J., as reported by the Boston Globe, claims that Hernandez was molested during his childhood, but the perpetrator remains unidentified. In this script penned by Ryan Farley and Chelsey Lora, they seem to use the name of their real late uncle Robert Valentine, portraying him as a pedophile and even inventing an incident where he is arrested for exposing himself on a school bus. I’d be thrilled if I was mistaken here – perhaps Ryan Murphy has access to some court records that I don’t – but it definitely feels uncomfortable.
In a way that doesn’t necessarily reflect the truth of the event, its inclusion within this episode feels out of place, bordering on portraying the assault as an explanation for Aaron’s sexual identity. As reported by the Globe, Hernandez himself has made this connection, but the show seems unwilling to explore or challenge it, and so far, we haven’t seen Aaron express such problematic thoughts about his sexuality on screen. When this traumatic event resurfaces during an argument with D.J., it’s unclear what the episode intends us to learn from this moment, as Aaron has not previously shown anger towards D.J. due to the molestation. Furthermore, the episode doesn’t delve into D.J.’s perspective, leaving his thoughts and recognition of Aaron’s reference ambiguous. Is he plagued by guilt and choosing to live in denial? Or is he hiding something when he tells Murphy they were never close with uncle Bobby?
During their training in Laguna, Aaron and D.J. are on good terms, collaborating on plays and strengthening their bond as siblings. (D.J. even says, “Dad would be proud,” which is what Aaron has always longed to hear.) However, their relationship becomes strained once again when D.J.’s professional envy surfaces. He’s seeking Murphy’s help to secure a position on a practice squad as a quarterback, but all Murphy can offer is a coaching job for a team in Berlin. It’s tough not to empathize with him when he highlights the disparity in their career paths — and the bittersweet irony of D.J.’s unblemished record having no impact.
As the draft progresses, Aaron becomes increasingly petty, particularly during a dispute where allegations of improper behavior towards D.J. surface. It’s clear that Aaron is motivated by envy – the phrase “It should’ve been me” reveals his feelings quite openly. While it’s understandable that he feels let down for not being selected in the first three rounds and potentially being overlooked entirely, he errs in taking his frustration out on D.J. and Murphy when he knows full well that his situation is self-inflicted. Few believe that Aaron is truly prepared for this moment.
In this scenario, consistently, Aaron manages to dodge the severe repercussions he anticipates, with this occurrence being attributed to Bill Belichick, head coach of the Patriots, and owner Robert Kraft’s misjudgment that drafting him presents more advantages than risks. The “Gladiator” podcast underscores the sadness of this action: Keeping Aaron near detrimental influences at home could be the worst move for him, especially when he may gain the most from a fresh start. However, “Birthday Money” concludes on a positive note, with D.J. hearing Aaron’s name on TV and becoming ecstatic, shouting the news to Terri and rushing outside to greet Aaron, who was running over from his cousin’s place. The heartwarming sight of them putting aside their issues and hugging in the street, one brother genuinely happy for the other, is absolutely contagious.
Throughout the series, which chronologically follows Aaron’s life and periodically drops characters no longer significant, having a central relationship to focus on and revisit across all ten episodes is quite beneficial. This brotherly bond, though not fully developed, remains authentic due to the blend of resentment, love, and camaraderie it portrays. This dynamic adds credibility to the show, making this episode particularly compelling, even with the unresolved questions it presents.
The End Zone
The series never delved into Aaron’s breakup with his college girlfriend or gave her much significance initially. However, in today’s episode, Aaron encounters Shayanna at a grocery store, which seems to pave the way for their reunion.
• NFL Europe was dissolved in 2007, so what German team was Murphy suggesting for D.J.?
It’s intriguing to learn more about Tim and Maurkice’s current whereabouts since they haven’t appeared on the show for a while, and I enjoyed watching Aaron’s enthusiasm for his friends. At this stage, Josh Andrés Rivera’s acting has won me over, particularly when we get glimpses of his charming, youthful persona.
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2024-10-02 06:54