Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.

In a revealing discussion, Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL player, opens up about his meteoric rise and tragic fall amidst a backdrop of mental health struggles. He shares insights into the pressures of fame and the chaotic life that culminated in personal and legal turmoil. Teammates reflect on his dual persona, oscillating between humor and danger, while the dark side of the Patriots' culture under Bill Belichick is explored. This deep dive raises critical questions about the consequences faced by athletes grappling with immense expectations.

Football star Aaron Hernandez went from the bright lights of the Super Bowl to a convicted murderer in a few years. The Boston Globe’s Spotlight Team, best known for its investigation of the sexual abuse scandal inside the Catholic Church, takes a hard look at the crisis facing football through the lens of Aaron Hernandez’s life and terrible crimes.Did a brain badly damaged by football contribute to Hernandez’s violent behavior? Did he keep secrets about his sexuality that collided with a hyper-masculine football culture? Did elite coaches and teams look the other way as Hernandez was spiraling out of control?Spotlight uncovered new documents, audio, and interviews to go deep into the story of what happened to Aaron Hernandez, and what it means for those of us who cheer on a violent game. From Wondery, the podcast team that brought you Dr. Death.All episodes are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Join Wondery+ here: https://wondery.app.link/gladiatorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.