Streaming review: Limited series delves into the whys of Aaron Hernandez's life

There are a lot of stories in the first “American Sports Story," which focuses on Aaron Hernandez.

Many of them try to explain why Hernandez, an NFL superstar, would dabble in the darker side of life when he had so much in his favor. Some address the role of professional football in a multitude of situations and its responsibility to players.

In the 10-part limited series, we see the pushy father, the dependent friends and the need to succeed. But we also get hints of homosexuality, drug abuse and brain injury. Was Hernandez prompted to commit murder because he had taken too many hits to the head?

The series certainly offers suggestions. It also plays out many of the scenes described in court and in tabloids. We see him on a Cabo getaway with another man; we watch him going back into the game when he probably shouldn’t have.

But who’s there to stop him – or provide support? That’s key to this account, based on the podcast, “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.” The theories are plausible, particularly when the collide. But Executive Producer Ryan Murphy and company don’t pull back on much. They dig in and soon you realize Hernandez is someone who couldn’t say no – to his desires and others’.

The only real cheerleader in his corner is Shayanna Jenkins (a very good Jaylen Barron), the main woman in his life. She questions his moves, tries to stop him from making poor choices and insists he has everything he needs.

The lure of big homes, luxurious weekends and celebrity status, however, is just too great. We get a lot of wallow and a handful of those “reaching out” moments that come courtesy Tim Tebow (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Tanya Singleton (Lindsay Mendez) and Jenkins.

The key to making this work (even though 10 episodes are more than plenty) is Josh Rivera as Hernandez. He delivers in all instances, helping us understand how someone who has it all somehow has nothing. Rivera is believable on the field and in the locker room. He has that little boy fear in his father’s presence, that swagger on the field that prompts multi-million-dollar contracts.

In several of the episodes, low camera angles help convey the magnitude of Hernandez’s world. As it begins to slide away, those angles change.

While part of the fun is seeing well-known names drift in and out of the picture, “American Sports Story” is really about the price some pay for being in an unreal world.

Because Hernandez isn’t around to refute some of the findings, series’ creators didn’t have to hold back at visualizing what others hinted at. While it might not be accurate, it does make the case for safeguards in an industry that’s more violent than armchair quarterbacks think.

This “American Sports Story” could have fit under Murphy’s “Horror Story” franchise. It’s just as chilling and, oftentimes, just as difficult to believe.

“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” airs on FX beginning Sept. 17.