Aaron Hernandez, the former NFL superstar tight end, was known for his incredible talent on the field. But off the field, his life was marked by turmoil and struggle. In the FX series American Sports Story, episode 3, "Pray the Gay Away," we see a young Hernandez grappling with his sexuality, his identity, and his faith. The episode explores his introduction to Christianity through his teammate Tim Tebow, and his internal struggles with concepts of God, identity, and gayness.

But what's real and what's fictional in this episode? Let's take a closer look. One scene depicts Hernandez getting into a fight with teammate Jordan Reed during a Florida practice. But in reality, this never happened. Reed was a tight end for the Florida Gators from 2009 to 2012, and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Another scene shows Tebow throwing an interception in the 2009 SEC Championship Game, which is a real play. However, the series doesn't provide any additional context, such as the score at the time, which was 32-13, Alabama. The rest of the game was mostly uneventful, with Florida failing to mount a comeback.

urban Meyer, the head coach of the Florida Gators, is also a central figure in the episode. The series depicts him falling to the ground right after the game ended, but in reality, Meyer was hospitalized after the game with chest pains and a tingling sensation on his side.

These changes and inaccuracies raise questions about the reliability of the series. Is it meant to be a factual retelling of Hernandez's life, or is it meant to be a dramatization of his story? The line between fact and fiction is blurred, leaving viewers to wonder what's real and what's not.

JOSH RIVERA

The Unlikely Hero: Aaron Hernandez's Journey

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