The FX series American Sports Story episode “Odin” delves into the grim reality of Odin Lloyd’s murder by former NFL star Aaron Hernandez. While the episode offers a dramatized account, the question of why Aaron Hernandez killed Odin Lloyd continues to be a subject of intense speculation and debate. Despite being convicted for the crime in 2015, Hernandez never explicitly stated his motive, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over this tragic event. American Sports Story attempts to provide answers, but how closely does it align with the known facts and unanswered questions surrounding Lloyd’s death?
The Unclear Motive: Reality vs. American Sports Story
Episode 8 of American Sports Story presents a seemingly straightforward motive for the murder. The series suggests that Hernandez killed Lloyd because of a breach of trust related to a secret apartment. In the show, Lloyd allegedly reveals to his girlfriend, the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée Shayanna Jenkins, the existence of Hernandez’s “flop house.” This revelation, in the show’s narrative, triggers Hernandez’s paranoia and leads to the fatal act.
However, the reality is far more ambiguous. As highlighted by ESPN and other reports, Aaron Hernandez never confirmed why he killed Odin Lloyd. A definitive motive was never established in court or revealed by Hernandez himself. While American Sports Story portrays Hernandez and Lloyd as recent acquaintances, their connection was more established. They had known each other for up to two years prior to the 2013 murder, having met through family connections. Hernandez had even provided Lloyd with perks like tickets to New England Patriots games and promised him a trip to California. He had also rented Lloyd an SUV, indicating a level of friendship that contradicts the series’ portrayal of a fleeting relationship. The show’s depiction of an impulsive act driven by paranoia simplifies a far more complex and opaque situation.
Prosecutor’s Theory: The Erosion of Trust
Despite the lack of a confession, prosecutors in the Aaron Hernandez case developed a theory about the potential motive for Odin Lloyd’s murder. Their belief, which American Sports Story episode 8 loosely incorporates, centered around the idea that Hernandez killed Lloyd due to a breakdown of trust. The prosecution posited that Hernandez believed Lloyd had become a risk, possibly privy to sensitive information or involved in conversations that Hernandez deemed dangerous.
This theory is supported by a text message Hernandez sent the night before Lloyd’s death, stating, “You can’t trust anyone anymore.” This message, referenced by the New York Post in their coverage of the case, suggests a state of paranoia or suspicion in Hernandez’s mindset leading up to the murder. Whether this distrust stemmed from the secret apartment, as depicted in American Sports Story, or something else remains unclear. It was also speculated that Lloyd might have been getting too close to other alleged crimes Hernandez was connected to, including a double homicide in Boston, further fueling Hernandez’s potential fear of exposure. It is important to note that whether Shayanna Jenkins was aware of Hernandez’s second apartment, a key plot point in American Sports Story, was never confirmed publicly.
The Unproven Theory: Sexuality and Secret Life
Another theory, widely discussed but never substantiated, proposes that Aaron Hernandez killed Odin Lloyd because Lloyd discovered Hernandez was secretly gay or bisexual. This theory gained traction after Hernandez’s death by suicide in 2017, during which time he reportedly confessed his sexuality to inmates. While this theory has become a popular explanation, aligning with broader discussions about masculinity and sexuality in sports, it remains unproven and speculative.
The fundamental truth is that the definitive motive behind Aaron Hernandez’s murder of Odin Lloyd remains unknown. Despite various theories and the dramatization presented in American Sports Story, no concrete explanation has ever surfaced. This lack of clarity is a frustrating aspect of the case, leaving a lingering sense of mystery surrounding this tragedy. Adding another layer of complexity is the discovery that Hernandez suffered from severe CTE, stage 3, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. This condition, revealed after his death, could have contributed to his impulsivity, paranoia, and violent behavior, further complicating the search for a singular, rational motive.
In conclusion, American Sports Story episode 8 offers a dramatic interpretation of events, but the real reasons why Aaron Hernandez killed Odin Lloyd are far from clear. Whether it was a matter of misplaced trust, fear of exposure, or a confluence of other factors, the precise motive remains shrouded in uncertainty, making it a chilling and perplexing case in the annals of sports and true crime.
