What does Rob Gronkowski think of his portrayal in ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’?

"He’s actually a good friend of mine and he plays all my doubles in all my other commercials."

Rob Gronkowski’s party-hard persona and affable jock mentality might be often imitated.

But if you ask the Patriots legend, it’s impossible to properly duplicate Gronkowski, especially in a drama series.

During his latest appearance on the “Up & Adams Show”, Gronkowski was asked about his now-viral portrayal in “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” — a 10-part FX drama based on The Boston Globe’s Spotlight series and podcast with Wondery.

While the show primarily focuses on former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, several other key figures in the Patriots organization are portrayed in the series – including Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, Tom Brady, and Gronkowski.

Gronkowski’s first encounter with Hernandez in the Patriots’ locker room has already gone viral on social media for actor Laith Wallschleger’s interpretation of the New England tight end.

As expected, Gronkowski said that certain creative liberties were taken as part of the TV series.

“It was definitely over the top … He definitely went over the top and I feel like it just fit the show perfectly though and all the other characters, and coach Belichick and seeing Robert Kraft in this show as well,” Gronkowski said. “I feel like — definitely like I said, over the top, a little exaggerated, that’s for sure. But it played the part in how this show was produced from all the clips that I saw.”

Even though Wallschleger has caught some flak online for his extravagant portrayal of Gronkowski, the four-time Super Bowl champion revealed to Adams that he’s known the actor for over a decade.

“He’s actually a good friend of mine and he plays all my doubles in all my other commercials and kind of everything else I do,” Gronkowski said, adding: “He’s been my double. He’s shorter though than me, he’s not as jacked as me either that’s for sure. And he’s not as sweet either as me, but he’s all right. He does have the laugh down.”

Even though Wallschleger may not have the same 6-foot-6 profile as Gronkowski, he did play college football at the University of Delaware and took part in Arizona Cardinals training camp as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015.

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.