Plot Synopsis

AMERICAN SPORTS STORY: AARON HERNANDEZ is the first installment in the AMERICAN SPORTS STORY franchise, Ryan Murphy's spinoff of his AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Based on the podcast, "Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.," this 10-episode limited series charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez and explores the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide and their legacy in sports and American culture. Episodes include:

"If It's to Be" (Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 10pm): Young Aaron grows up with high aspirations and immense pressure for his football career, but when tragedy strikes, his fate falls into new hands. Written by Stuart Zicherman; directed by Carl Franklin.

"Consequences, with Extreme Prejudice" (Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11:10pm): Faced with college level competition on the field and distractions off of it, Aaron learns that the rules work differently when you're a team asset. Written by Ryan Farley; directed by Carl Franklin.

"Pray the Gay Away" (Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 10pm): Aaron's star status brings him acclaim but he struggles to resist hidden temptations and seeks counsel from an unlikely source. Written by Chelsey Lora; directed by Paris Barclay.

"Birthday Money" (Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10pm): Aaron prepares for the NFL Draft with high hopes, but secrets from his past threaten to unravel his NFL prospects. Written by Ryan Farley & Chelsey Lora; directed by Paris Barclay.

"The Man" (Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 10pm): Struggling to fit the mold of the "Patriot Way," Aaron reconnects with an old love interest and seeks out a dangerous new friend. Written by Domonique Foxworth & Liz Tuccillo; directed by Maggie Kiley.

"Herald Street" (Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10pm): As his NFL stardom rises, Aaron commits a violent act that casts a haunting shadow over his picture-perfect life. Written by Matthew Hodgson; directed by Maggie Kiley.

"Dirty Pain" (Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 10pm): Fearing for his life, Aaron goes to California for surgery and a fresh start but he cannot escape his growing paranoia. Written by Lee Edward Colston II; directed by Steven Canals.

"Odin" (Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 10pm): When tragic news sends Aaron deeper into his mental turmoil, he tries to find reprieve in an ill-fated new friendship. Written by Hadi Nicholas Deeb; directed by Steven Canals.

"What's Left Behind" (Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 10pm): With Aaron behind bars, the women in his life are forced to face their new reality and make a difficult decision. Written by Hadi Nicholas Deeb & Stacey McCormack; directed by Jennifer Lynch.

"Who Killed Aaron Hernandez?" (Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 10pm): New lawyers and a second trial offer unexpected hope, but Aaron's tortured mind struggles to withstand the weight of his deepest secrets. Written by Stuart Zicherman & Tracey Scott Wilson; directed by Michael Uppendahl.