The story of Aaron Hernandez did not end with his death by suicide at Souza-Baranowski, the maximum security prison in central Mass. where the former Patriots player was serving a life sentence for murder.

This series delves into the life of the former NFL star whose promising career was overshadowed by his criminal activities and tragic end.

Bringing the story to television depended upon who would play Hernandez, a task that didn’t come easily for the writers and creatives behind the scenes. Ultimately the role went to Josh Rivera who is known for his roles in Steven Spielberg ‘s West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

Josh Andrés Rivera plays Aaron Hernandez in the new FX series. Rivera is known for his roles in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This series, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, is Rivera's first time starring on a TV show despite having appeared in films like Cat Person and Vegas High.

"It speaks to big themes about violence, toxic masculinity, sexuality, how we extol our athletes," showrunner Stu Zicherman says The post With ‘American Sports Story,’ the Creators Want to Go Beyond the ‘Tabloid’ Aspects of the Aaron Hernandez Case appeared first on TheWrap.