The ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’ Cast Knows Fans Are Going To Call The Show “ASS”

Ryan Murphy , Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson ‘s latest searing anthology series, American Sports Story , finally joins sister shows American Horror Story and American Crime Story next Tuesday, September 19 on FX, before heading to Hulu . American Sports Story : Aaron Hernandez gives us an intimate and unfettered look at the circumstances that led to one of football’s most tragic recent tales. The ten part series is based on the podcast “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc” and features an electric performance from rising star Josh Andrés Rivera ( West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ) as Hernandez himself.

Like American Horror Story and American Crime Story before it, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez features an incredible ensemble cast of rising stars and theater greats, trenchant commentary on sexuality, and harrowing scenes that will stay with you long after the credits on the show roll. However, unlike the hit shows lovingly abbreviated as “AHS” and “ACS,” the team behind American Sports Story might not want fans to shorten the dramatic show’s title to its obvious acronym, “ASS.”

When Decider caught up with American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez EPs Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson as well as key members of the show’s cast during Summer 2024 TCA, the team had varying reactions to the show’s potential nickname. Jacobson and Simpson, for instance, made it clear they hoped the show would earn a different abbreviation.

Nina Jacobson said “it’s not lost on us,” that the appropriate acronym for their serious show spelled the vulgar expression for one’s butt.

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“I mean, you’re not going to get me to say it on camera right now, if that’s what you’re attempting to do,” Brad Simpson said, cheekily refusing to say it out loud. “But hopefully people will call it Sports Story for short.”

“Or A, period, S period, S period,” Jacobson said.

The cast of American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez was far less uptight, with Norbert Leo Butz — who plays a Bon Jovi-obsessed Bill Belicheck — pointing out that production used the exact acronym on some call sheets.

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“On the breakdowns, the sheets that went out every day, it would say ‘ASS, that acronym,” Butz said.

“Oh really?” a surprised Patrick Schwarzenegger, who plays Tim Tebow in the show, said.

“It would on some of the stories,” Butz said.

“That’s so funny,” Schwarzenegger said.

“That’s good for a giggle, but it could have some problems,” Butz said.

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Schwarzenegger revealed that it hadn’t even occurred to him that the show might be called “ASS.” Series stars Josh Rivera and leading lady Jaylen Barron, who plays Hernandez’s widow Shayanna Jenkins, burst into giggles of relief, though, when Decider brought it up.

“Oh my gosh!” Jeylan Barron said, as Josh Rivera nodded with a smile. “I always think about that.”

“We talked about that,” Rivera said, giggling.

“Yes!” Barron said. “Are we allowed to say that on camera? The word?”

“Yeah, you know, it’s funny. It’s actually funny that you’re the first person to bring this up, because in my brain, for many months, I’ve been like….’ASS,'” Rivera said. “So, yeah, I’m prepared for that.”

Whether you want to call it “ASS,” “A.S.S.” or “Sports Story” for short, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez makes its official bow on Tuesday, September 17 at 10 PM ET/PT on FX and will be streaming next day on Hulu.

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