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Josh Rivera on the ‘Daunting Prospect’ of Playing Aaron Hernandez in American Sports Story
Sep
Josh Rivera, known for his roles in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is stepping into a complex and challenging role as Aaron Hernandez in FX’s upcoming anthology series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. Reflecting on the experience, Rivera admits it was overwhelming at first.
“It was overwhelming, initially. I won’t lie,” Rivera shares about tackling the role of Hernandez, the former NFL player convicted of murder who tragically took his own life while in prison. Rivera’s connection to this role came with its own set of challenges, as Hernandez’s life was filled with contradictions, including projecting a tough, masculine persona while privately struggling with his sexual identity.
Rivera explains how his own past helped him understand Hernandez’s character. He recounts how his New York City “swagger” developed as a habit from his high school days in Boulder, Colo., where he balanced being a football player and a theater kid. This ability to adapt to different environments helped Rivera channel Hernandez’s journey—someone constantly navigating different worlds, from the hyper-masculine world of professional football to his hidden personal struggles.
“On some level, everybody does some version of that,” Rivera says of his own experience adapting to environments. For Hernandez, this adaptation was a core part of his life, as he presented a tough front while hiding much of his true self.
The role in American Sports Story explores Hernandez’s life across 10 episodes, from his upbringing under a domineering father to his time at the University of Florida, where he played alongside Tim Tebow (portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger), and ultimately his downfall, when he was convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd. The series also delves into the systemic issues surrounding football, including how the sport often commodifies Black and Brown athletes and overlooks warning signs in players’ lives as long as their “danger” remains on the field.
Rivera’s casting came with an interesting backstory. He had previously worked with the producers of the show, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, on The Hunger Games prequel. “I have a little conspiracy theory,” Rivera jokes, as he recalls how Jacobson had him listen to the Aaron Hernandez: Gladiator podcast—later adapted for American Sports Story—while filming The Hunger Games. Weeks later, Rivera received an audition for the role of Hernandez.
While preparing for the role, Rivera dove deep into research, balancing between imitation and crafting his own interpretation of Hernandez. “It’s quite a daunting prospect to feel like you have to be somebody else that somebody can very readily fact-check,” he admits. Ultimately, Rivera took comfort in the creative freedom provided by the showrunner, Stuart Zicherman, and focused on creating a portrayal that felt authentic while allowing space for creative liberties.
The series also explores the physical demands of playing Hernandez. Rivera, who played football in high school, was excited to revisit the sport for the role. However, he quickly realized how challenging it would be to physically embody a professional athlete. “Football’s pretty hard. Who knew?” Rivera laughs, recalling how he struggled to keep up with the physically imposing background actors cast for the football scenes.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez premieres on FX and Hulu on September 19, offering a deep dive into the life of the once-celebrated athlete, the personal demons he battled, and the system that allowed him to slip through the cracks.
