Josh Rivera tells how Aaron Hernandez’s CTE and sexuality informed ‘American Sports Story’ finale

As a passionate observer of the world of acting, I must say that Josh Rivera’s journey through “Council of Dads” has been nothing short of captivating. His ability to embody Aaron, a character filled with depth and emotion, is truly commendable. It’s fascinating to see how he transforms himself into the characters he plays, making each one unique yet relatable.

The last episode of “American Sports Story” revealed the sad conclusion for Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL player with great potential. As the finale of the 10-part series on FX, it depicted the final days of a tormented soul in prison, filled with spectral visions and burdened by guilt. Facing death as the only escape from his personal turmoil (and upcoming legal troubles due to multiple murder charges), he found it as the only means to free himself from his inner tormentors.

The title “Who Killed Aaron Hernandez?” suggests straightforward solutions, but the episode subtly indicates otherwise. It underscores how deep-seated homophobia, destructive masculinity, a father figure with limited emotional capacity, a supportive NFL team, and the impacts of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), stemming from years on the field, significantly contributed to the tragic end of Hernandez’s life and career.

The focus of the production was undoubtedly Josh Rivera. Known for roles in “West Side Story” and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”, he masterfully portrayed Hernandez, a character filled with complexities that mirrored the Connecticut-born player’s life, tragically cut short at 27. Rivera skillfully depicted Hernandez as both a tough, trigger-happy man who shot indiscriminately, and a vulnerable boy longing for his father’s love and finding solace in the embrace of other men (while keeping his fiancée in the dark).

Rivera discussed with The Times about the final episode, the effort put into crafting a complex depiction of a character often judged due to headlines following his imprisonment and demise, and why he’s gradually learning to appreciate the acclaim bestowed upon him for this exceptional acting performance. This discussion has been streamlined for clarity and brevity.

How has it felt seeing the show now come to an end?

It’s been quite an intriguing journey so far, as I’m encountering many first-time experiences. This is particularly significant because this is the first time I’ve worked on an entire series, which presents a unique challenge compared to my usual work. It’s a great relief to have it finally released, as once it’s out, there’s nothing more I can do about it. Ultimately, people are free to interpret and feel whatever they wish from it.

In a general sense, career-related, I often find myself in a situation where many actors might relate – upon completing each project, I can’t help but feel, “Well, that was fun while it did last,” implying that the conclusion seems inevitable.

I’m always bothered by that issue, but recently, I’ve been thrilled about the numerous discussions I’m having regarding the creation and contributing more to the creative side of things. This project was the first time I felt a sense of ownership towards the final outcome. Although I wasn’t a producer, I had direct communication with everyone involved in its creation, which is something that has never happened before for me.

In a nutshell, this miniseries presents a captivating narrative about a well-known individual, spanning 10 episodes. As an actor, how did you manage the challenge of depicting Aaron’s life from his high school days, football career, and up to his demise?

At first, I was apprehensive, but ultimately found it extremely beneficial as it allowed for a more detailed understanding of the interplaying factors by presenting them in sequence. Given the complexity of the final outcome and the numerous aspects highlighted in media about this figure, it’s quite challenging to grasp everything at once.

When discussing a subject, it involves topics such as sexuality, CTE, early wealth, early fame, and father-son relationships. Crafting a detailed character when dealing with such a diverse set of elements was challenging for me because I wasn’t sure how to create a distinct persona while encompassing all these aspects.

Constructing this story was a delight as we could piece it together gradually, one part at a time. As the story progressed, each element started to intertwine and create tension. This process has made it much more comforting to rely on the solid structure we’ve already established.

frankly, at first glance, it seemed quite daunting; I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed.

The scene that left the strongest impression, particularly for me as a gay viewer, was when the character realized one of his lawyers was also gay and directly asked him about who had abused him as a child. This scene offered a powerful insight into Aaron’s understanding of his own sexuality. What was it like to craft that pivotal moment in the story?

The scene deeply moved me. I can’t recall the specific circumstances under which his lawyer shared this tale, but it is a genuine story that his lawyer relayed, and he appeared to be filled with compassion at that moment for Aaron. You may not grasp the extent to which Aaron has hidden these feelings all his life, nor understand the numerous aspects, beliefs, or decisions that have been based on this assumption about him. I found the writing to be exceptionally powerful, and I believe it carries significant importance. However, it’s a tough narrative.

“In this series, the character Aaron seems to experience a unique sense of liberation whenever he embraces vulnerability and compassion towards other male characters, such as Chris, brilliantly portrayed by Jake Cannavale. Yet, it’s a rare occurrence for him to let his guard down in such a way.”

In numerous instances throughout the series, poignant, genuine moments are followed by feelings of failure. This character feels as though he’s let himself and others down. The immediate juxtaposition between these emotions can be quite enlightening about the choices made. I appreciate that this aspect was highlighted in the script, as it underscored the authenticity of those scenes. It’s tragic to witness such vulnerability linked with failure, but from a narrative standpoint, it’s crucial for our storytelling.

Additionally, he experienced a sense of failure that was deeply connected to his father, who manifested as a spectral apparition within the prison setting. This encounter was particularly poignant and moving.

Reading through the final episode’s script, my enthusiasm soared upon encountering that particular scene. It resonated deeply as I realized it would be Aaron’s significant monologue. Throughout the series, Aaron has been remarkably succinct, so this extended conversation was a captivating prospect. The scene felt like a poignant moment to reveal all, serving as a fitting coda for his character. Without this monologue, the storyline feels incredibly somber and incomplete. As a viewer, I believe it’s essential to have some form of closure acknowledging the intricacies of Aaron’s life before he progresses further.

You enjoyed that sort of fantasy approach to that scene?

I found both the subject matter and the way it was presented to be significant and eloquently done, mainly due to the extensive research I’ve conducted on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). A challenging aspect of this condition is that it can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously. However, finding video evidence of people exhibiting CTE symptoms while interacting with others is quite difficult because many individuals claim to have it or suspect they might, yet they appear completely normal.

But then the rough thing is that when you are put under tension or conflict, stuff starts to surface. What that said to me is how terrifying it must be to feel this perpetual sense of unease and have no idea why. Because, again, it can’t get diagnosed. It doesn’t get exposed in an MRI. You just feel weird. And your decision making is just so wild. So the idea to get some sense of complete clarity, whether or not it’d be in a dream sequence, and know how it feels to have a neurotypical brain for even a couple moments before you go, I found the concept of that really interesting. I’m glad we were able to put that in.

Here’s a possible way to rephrase the original sentence in a more conversational and easier-to-understand manner:

I recall the final object I fired at was already lying lifeless on the ground. That was likely intentional, though it might seem heartless, there was a certain peaceful simplicity in feigning death myself. It wasn’t overly challenging. However, prior to that moment, it was one event after another, gloomy and distressing, like a rapid succession of sad and dark scenes. It was an extremely intense and unprecedented race to the end.

Was it hard, then, letting Aaron go?

I prefer to say no, as I’m not fond of the notion that one must keep things after they’ve been used. During breaks, I usually tried to be cheerful and make light-hearted jokes. Occasionally, I would feel tense, but Aaron never seemed to be with me in a spiritual sense. That’s not something I personally believe in. I think method acting is an approach many actors use, but it’s not part of my process.

After going nearly a month and a half without talking to anyone, I felt the need for some personal space. Perhaps this silence helped me discard some lingering aspects. Generally, though, I make a conscious effort to separate my professional and personal life.

In light of our discussion, have you found anything particularly valuable for yourself or your work from this project?

Initially, I wasn’t confident I could accomplish something as challenging as this project. However, it has boosted my self-assurance more than I anticipated. Additionally, I’ve learned quite a bit about how I react to both compliments and constructive criticism, which is intriguing. Strangely enough, I become uneasy when receiving praise. It’s odd, I can’t explain it. Recently, during a conversation with a close friend, she complimented one of my episodes. My response was unusual; I asked her to balance the compliment with a criticism – it’s a peculiar quirk that I’m uncovering.

Reflecting on it, I found myself thinking, “I could have performed better, and there are things I’d approach differently. It can be frustrating, but it’s also rewarding. It’s comforting to know there’s plenty of room for improvement. I still consider myself a novice, yet this realization is exhilarating. It gives me a sense of anticipation for the projects I might undertake in the future.

Which begs the question: What is next?

Currently, I’m involved in an innovative project that’s still at its infancy stage. Fingers crossed, we plan to start writing for it towards the beginning of next year. Recently, I’ve been brimming with creativity and have collaborated with a friend on drafting a pilot episode for a humorous television series. Needless to say, this project is exhilarating as it fulfills a lifelong dream. The sense of control over my creative process has become quite addictive during this venture, so I’m genuinely enthusiastic about it all. For now, I can’t disclose too many details, but I’ll share more specifics soon!

That does sound very exciting. And a nice change of pace, especially with a comedy.

Yes, truly. I’m not always crying and dying, I promise.

Read More

• ONDO PREDICTION. ONDO cryptocurrency
• SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
• LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
• XAI PREDICTION. XAI cryptocurrency
• APT PREDICTION. APT cryptocurrency
• ETH PREDICTION. ETH cryptocurrency
• BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
• Top gainers and losers
• OMNI PREDICTION. OMNI cryptocurrency
• RARE PREDICTION. RARE cryptocurrency

2024-11-13 07:32