The third episode of "American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez," titled "Pray the Gay Away," delves into the complexities of the famed athlete's life, highlighting the dual struggles with his sexuality and substance abuse. As the narrative unfolds, we witness a young man caught in the crosshairs of his own vices and the unforgiving world of college football.
The episode kicks off with the Florida Gators' triumphant 2009 BCS National Championship win against Oklahoma, an event that catapults Aaron's status on campus. However, this victory also casts a spotlight on him, bringing with it increased scrutiny and pressure. Despite this, Aaron continues to engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking weed before every practice and circumventing mandatory drug tests with the use of a "whizzinator"—a device that provides clean urine samples.
Coach Urban Meyer's frustration with Aaron and other misbehaving players is palpable. The stress of dealing with his team's antics and the long hours are taking a toll on his health. Meanwhile, Aaron's relationships with women, including his girlfriend at the University of Florida, are strained. She is unaware of his secret life and his marijuana habit, which only fuels Aaron's paranoia.
The episode explores Aaron's paranoia and aggression, especially when his teammates speculate about the gay player among them. This tension is a stark contrast to the mentorship offered by Tim Tebow, who sees potential in Aaron and tries to guide him towards a more righteous path. Tebow's church service and subsequent advice to Aaron to accept Jesus Christ into his life to combat doubt and sin present a possible turning point for the troubled athlete.
In a montage that captures Aaron's temporary transformation, we see him attempt to rid himself of his "vices"—flushing his weed down the toilet and clearing his computer of gay porn. The episode does not shy away from the reality that these two issues are treated as equally detrimental to his career, despite their vastly different implications for Aaron's personal life.
The pressure mounts as the Gators head into the SEC championship game against Alabama. Coach Meyer praises Aaron's growth, but a trip home to Bristol leads to a relapse. Aaron's anger towards his cousin Tanya's ex-husband, Jeff, triggers a series of events that see him fall back into old habits. The temptation to smoke weed to alleviate his emotional turmoil proves too strong.
Back on campus, Aaron's conversation with Tebow in the chapel reveals his internal conflict. He questions whether he is destined to sin, indicating an impatience with himself and a failure to internalize Tebow's teachings about faith and practice. This struggle is evident when Aaron fails to perform at the SEC championship, dashing Tebow's hopes for a national title in his senior year.
The loss impacts Meyer deeply, leading to a panic attack that he masks as a heart attack. Realizing he needs a fresh start, Meyer decides that Aaron no longer has a place on the team for the following year. This decision is portrayed as a mutual agreement that benefits both parties: Meyer can rebuild his team, and Aaron can declare for the NFL draft, potentially reaching new heights.
The episode also focuses on Meyer's character, painting him as a complex figure. He is shown to be noble and empathetic, yet complicit in the bad behavior of his players. His approach to discipline is criticized as being superficial, encouraging silence about indiscretions rather than genuine change.
The episode ends with a foreboding remark from Meyer as Aaron accepts the John Mackey Award, hinting at the tragic trajectory of Aaron's life. The show's exploration of college football's inner workings is intriguing, but it sometimes oversimplifies Aaron's struggles by reducing them to his sexual preference and marijuana use, which can feel like an afterschool special.
Despite this, the episode does not ignore Aaron's CTE, with director Paris Barclay including disorienting shots from Aaron's perspective after tackles. However, the series seems to downplay the significance of CTE in Aaron's story, at least at this stage.
In "Pray the Gay Away," the series grapples with the complexities of Aaron Hernandez's life, offering a nuanced look at the pressures and temptations that shaped his path. It raises questions about the role of sports culture, personal identity, and the search for redemption in the face of one's demons.