The FX series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez has faced its share of criticism, but one performance that’s drawing widespread praise is the portrayal of former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. American actor Laith Wallschleger takes on the challenging role of Gronkowski, and his performance has quickly gone viral, winning over fans of both the show and the legendary NFL player.
Playing someone as larger-than-life as Gronkowski is no easy feat, but Wallschleger makes it look effortless. In a standout scene from this week’s episode, his portrayal of Gronkowski meeting Aaron Hernandez in the locker room struck a chord with viewers. The interaction captured Gronk’s trademark goofy personality, especially when Wallschleger’s Gronkowski delivers the line, “Hey, you meet Coach yet? That dude is [expletive] scary, bro,” followed by Gronk’s signature wild laugh.
The scene quickly made the rounds on social media, with sports fans and critics alike praising Wallschleger for nailing Gronkowski’s unique mannerisms and carefree attitude. His portrayal, particularly the unmistakable laugh, resonated with audiences, making the scene an instant hit online.
Barstool Sports joined in on the fun, tweeting, “Give this guy all the Emmys for his portrayal of Gronk.” Other fans shared their amusement on X (formerly Twitter). “The Gronk laugh is great,” one user commented, while another sarcastically joked, “This might be the greatest show ever.” A more serious fan noted, “Actually thought he kinda got the voice.”
However, some viewers pointed out inaccuracies with other characters, as another comment humorously mentioned, “The real crime here is they got Tom Brady and Danny Woodhead the same height.”
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As Wallschleger’s performance continues to trend, one question remains: how does the real Rob Gronkowski feel about this on-screen version of himself? Gronkowski has yet to comment on Wallschleger’s portrayal in American Sports Story, and while some speculate he might not appreciate the comedic portrayal, others believe he’ll take it in stride given his laid-back persona.
Regardless of how Gronkowski reacts, Wallschleger has certainly captured the attention of fans. His depiction of the football star has been praised for its accuracy and humor, adding a touch of levity to a series focused on a darker subject.
With American Sports Story gaining traction online thanks to viral moments like this, fans are eagerly awaiting the next episode, set to air on October 15. It seems Wallschleger’s Gronkowski will remain a fan-favorite as the series continues.
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