Why Aaron Hernandez’s jersey number changes from 85 to 81 in American Sports Story Episode 5

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Episode 5, “The Man,” changes the titular athlete’s jersey number during his time with the New England Patriots, but rather than a continuity error, the change holds meaning in the real world as well as a symbolic interpretation in the show. Josh Rivera leads the American Sports Story Season 1 cast as the late tight end. Although the bioseries is poetically inaccurate with certain details about Hernandez’s life and playing career, The change of his jersey number from 85 to 81 is not a deviation from reality.

Hernandez is one of many real NFL figures in American Sports StoryHow his time as a college football star and professional player overlapped with several other coaches and athletes. Many of them helped shape his history, but not always for the better. While his jersey number change with the Patriots isn’t the result of anything nefarious, it does tie into another player’s real-life story. moreover, Hernandez’s switch from 85 to 81 holds a deeper meaning In the fictionalized version of his life.

Aaron Hernandez gave his number to Chad Ochocinco before the 2011 season

Hernandez switched to 81 in his second season in the NFL

Although NFL jersey numbers are primarily intended to designate between position groups, they can also develop a lot of meaning for the players who wear them. Some players commit to a number for their entire career, even when they move teams. No other NFL player took his jersey number as seriously as wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” JohnsonWho legally changed his last name in 2008 to reflect the number he wore with the Cincinnati Bengals. When Johnson joined the Patriots in 2011, Hernandez immediately surrendered the 85 jersey to his new teammate out of respect.

Hernandez wore 81 during his time as a Florida Gator, so the number is also significant for him. Interestingly, Johnson joining the Patriots in 2011 was the start of Hernandez’s second season as a Patriot, with Rivera’s character playing his rookie year the season before. so, Hernandez’s jersey number change actually hides a hidden time jump American Sports Story Episode 5, “The Man.”

American Sports Story uses Hernandez’s jersey number change brilliantly

Hernandez’s personal struggles return with a vengeance after the switch

Knowing the real-world explanation for Hernandez changing his jersey number makes the whole scenario seem a lot more innocuous, as well as confirming that it wasn’t a continuity error by the show’s production team. however, American Sports Story Uses the number switch to represent the main character slipping back into his old ways. While his earlier days with the Patriots are depicted as Hernandez putting his troubled past aside, his demons begin to creep back into his life at the same time as his jersey number reads 81.

Hernandez’s behavior in American Sports Story Begins to become problematic during his college career – when he also wears 81. Frustrated at hiding his sexual orientation, dealing with a gradually worsening head injury, and falling in with a bad crowd all contribute to the tight end’s descent into a very dark place . Being drafted by the Patriots and assigned number 85 acts as a symbolic fresh startBut when his behavior starts going back to his college years, American Sports Story: Aaron HernandezThe resurgence of the number 81 from his Gators uniform highlights this downward spiral.