See theAmerican Sports Story: Aaron HernandezCast Side-by-Side with the Real-Life People They Play

Mar. 15, 2025

FX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.Photo:FX Networks/YouTube; John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty

FX Networks/YouTube; John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandezfollows former NFL superstarAaron Hernandezthroughout his collegiate and professional career and also examines his dark personal life.

Netflix previously produced a documentary in 2020,Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, that told the story from the perspective of those around the star player. However,American Sports Storymarks the first live-action portrayal of Hernandez’s story, starringJosh Andrés Riveraas the late athlete.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandezwill premiere on Sept. 17 at 10 p.m. ET on FX and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Here’s a look at the cast ofAmerican Sports Story: Aaron Hernandezalongside the real-life people they portray.

01of 08Josh Andrés Rivera as Aaron HernandezFX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.FX Networks; Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/ GettyJosh Andrés Rivera plays Aaron Hernandez in the FX limited series. He previously portrayed Sejanus Plinth in 2023’sThe Ballad of Song Birds and Snakes.The actor has been preparing mentally and physically for the role of Hernandez, adding to his build and examining the mentality of the former NFL star turned convicted murderer.“It’s a story with a lot of factors, as I’m sure everybody with familiarity towards it knows. There’s the mental health factor, the crime factor, the money, the fame, all of these things,” Rivera toldDeadlinein November 2023. “As an actor, it’s kind of like it’s a dream to have something so, so juicy to dive into it.”Rivera is currentlydating actress Rachel Zegler, whom he met while costarring inWest Side Story.

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Josh Andrés Rivera as Aaron Hernandez

FX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.FX Networks; Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/ Getty

FX Networks; Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/ Getty

Josh Andrés Rivera plays Aaron Hernandez in the FX limited series. He previously portrayed Sejanus Plinth in 2023’sThe Ballad of Song Birds and Snakes.

The actor has been preparing mentally and physically for the role of Hernandez, adding to his build and examining the mentality of the former NFL star turned convicted murderer.

“It’s a story with a lot of factors, as I’m sure everybody with familiarity towards it knows. There’s the mental health factor, the crime factor, the money, the fame, all of these things,” Rivera toldDeadlinein November 2023. “As an actor, it’s kind of like it’s a dream to have something so, so juicy to dive into it.”

Rivera is currentlydating actress Rachel Zegler, whom he met while costarring inWest Side Story.

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Patrick Schwarzenegger as Tim Tebow

FX’s American Sports Story: Tim Tebow.FX Networks; John Bazemore/AP

FX Networks; John Bazemore/AP

Patrick Schwarzenegger playsTim Tebow, Hernandez’s teammate at the University of Florida and former NFL quarterback.

Schwarzenegger is the son of the legendary actorArnold Schwarzeneggerand has been most known for his role as Golden Boy inGenVas well as starring opposite Colin Firth in the HBO miniseriesTheStaircase.

Patrick is a long-time football fanatic and knew of Hernandez and Tebow when they were just collegiate athletes.

“[He] recognized that Aaron was struggling and was trying to be this good force and utilize faith in his love of Jesus and churchgoing and the values that come as a Christian man to help Aaron. Unfortunately, [he] wasn’t able to fully succeed,” the actor toldEntertainment Weeklyof Tebow.

03of 08Tammy Blanchard as Terri HernandezFX’s American Sports Story: Terri Hernandez.FX Networks; The Boston Herald, Ted Fitzgerald, Pool/APTammy Blanchard comes into the series as Hernandez’s mother Terri, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing.Blanchard has won one Primetime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress for her role as a youngJudy GarlandinThe Life of Judy. The actress is also well known for her role as Florinda in the 2014 filmInto the Woods.

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Tammy Blanchard as Terri Hernandez

FX’s American Sports Story: Terri Hernandez.FX Networks; The Boston Herald, Ted Fitzgerald, Pool/AP

FX Networks; The Boston Herald, Ted Fitzgerald, Pool/AP

Tammy Blanchard comes into the series as Hernandez’s mother Terri, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing.

Blanchard has won one Primetime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress for her role as a youngJudy GarlandinThe Life of Judy. The actress is also well known for her role as Florinda in the 2014 filmInto the Woods.

04of 08Norbert Leo Butz as Bill BelichickFX’s American Sports Story: Bill Belichick.FX Networks; Ronald Martinez/GettyAmerican actor and singer Norbert Leo Butz portrays NFL coachBill Belichick.Belichick coached Hernandez during his tenure with the New England Patriots, andAmerican Sports Storyis expected to touch on the inner relationship between coach and player.Butz is most known for his work on stage and has won two Tony Awards.

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Norbert Leo Butz as Bill Belichick

FX’s American Sports Story: Bill Belichick.FX Networks; Ronald Martinez/Getty

FX Networks; Ronald Martinez/Getty

American actor and singer Norbert Leo Butz portrays NFL coachBill Belichick.

Belichick coached Hernandez during his tenure with the New England Patriots, andAmerican Sports Storyis expected to touch on the inner relationship between coach and player.

Butz is most known for his work on stage and has won two Tony Awards.

05of 08Tony Yazbeck as Urban MeyerFX’s American Sports Story:Urban Meyer.FX Networks; Chris Graythen/GettyTony Yazback playsUrban Meyer, who coached Hernandez at the University of Florida.A Tony-nominated actor and director, Yazbeck has appeared inBillions,SmashandThe Good Fight.

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Tony Yazbeck as Urban Meyer

FX’s American Sports Story:Urban Meyer.FX Networks; Chris Graythen/Getty

FX Networks; Chris Graythen/Getty

Tony Yazback playsUrban Meyer, who coached Hernandez at the University of Florida.

A Tony-nominated actor and director, Yazbeck has appeared inBillions,SmashandThe Good Fight.

06of 08Jaylen Barron as Shayanna Jenkins-HernandezJaylen Barron in ‘American Sports Story’; Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez.FX; Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via GettyJaylen Barron plays Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, Hernandez’s fiancée and mother to daughterAvielle Janelle Hernandez.Barron played Zoe in Netflix’sFree Reinand Dominique Winslow inShameless.

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Jaylen Barron as Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez

Jaylen Barron in ‘American Sports Story’; Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez.FX; Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty

FX; Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty

Jaylen Barron plays Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, Hernandez’s fiancée and mother to daughterAvielle Janelle Hernandez.

Barron played Zoe in Netflix’sFree Reinand Dominique Winslow inShameless.

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Ean Castellanos as D.J. Hernandez

Ean Castellanos in ‘American Sports Story’; D.J. Hernandez.FX; Ted Fitzgerald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty

FX; Ted Fitzgerald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty

Ean Castellanos stars as Hernandez’s D.J. Hernandez.

08of 08Lindsay Mendez as Tanya SingletonFX’s American Sports Story: Tanya Singleton.FX Networks; The Boston Globe, George Rizer, Pool/APLindsay Mendez portrays Tanya Singleton, Hernandez’s cousin.The actress is best known for her roles in television series such asStation 19,Modern FamilyandThe Grotto.

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Lindsay Mendez as Tanya Singleton

FX’s American Sports Story: Tanya Singleton.FX Networks; The Boston Globe, George Rizer, Pool/AP

FX Networks; The Boston Globe, George Rizer, Pool/AP

Lindsay Mendez portrays Tanya Singleton, Hernandez’s cousin.

The actress is best known for her roles in television series such asStation 19,Modern FamilyandThe Grotto.

source: people.com