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

American Sports History: Aaron Hernandez In the fifth episode, “The Man,” the titular athlete’s jersey number changes during his tenure with the New England Patriots, but the change is not a continuity error but has real-world significance as it boasts a symbolic interpretation within the show. Josh Rivera leads American sports history first season shown as a late tight end. Although the bioseries contains poetic inaccuracies regarding some details of Hernandez’s life and playing career, changing his jersey number from 85 to 81 is not a deviation from reality.

Hernandez is one of many real-life NFL figures. American sports historyas his time as a college football star and professional player overlapped with the lives of several other coaches and athletes. Many of them helped shape his story, but not always for the better. While changing his Patriots jersey number wasn’t the result of anything nefarious, it does tie into another player’s real-life story. Besides, Hernandez’s move from 85 to 81 has a deeper meaning. in an artistic version of his life.

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

Hernandez moved up to No. 81 as a sophomore in the NFL.

While NFL jersey numbers are primarily intended to delineate position groups, they can also have significant meaning to the players who wear them. Some players make certain commitments throughout their careers, even when they change teams. No other NFL player took his jersey number more seriously than wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.who 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 gave the No. 85 jersey to his new teammate out of respect.

Hernandez wore 81 when he was a Florida Gator, so that number also had meaning to him. Interestingly, Johnson joining the Patriots in 2011 marked the start of Hernandez’s second season as a Patriot, with Rivera’s character playing his rookie season the previous season. So, The change in Hernandez’s jersey number actually hides a hidden time jump. American sports history episode 5, “Man”.

American Sports Story makes brilliant use of Hernandez’s jersey number change

Hernandez’s personal problems return with a vengeance after the transition

Knowing the real explanation for why Hernandez changed his jersey number makes the whole scenario much more innocuous, while also confirming that this is not a continuity error on the part of the show’s production team. However, American sports history uses a digital switch to introduce the protagonist falling back into his old habits.. While his early days with the Patriots are portrayed as Hernandez putting his troubled past aside, his demons begin to creep back into his life around the same time his jersey number becomes 81.

Hernandez’s behavior American sports history begins to become problematic during his college career – when he also wore 81. Frustration with hiding his sexual orientation, a gradually worsening head injury and falling in with bad company all contribute to the tight end’s fall into a very dark place. Being drafted by the Patriots and given the number 85 is a symbolic start to a new career.but when his behavior begins to return to that of his student years, American Sports History: Aaron HernandezThe resurgence of No. 81 from a Gators uniform underscores this downward spiral.