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Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.
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Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.

Author: The Boston Globe | Wondery

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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.

From Wondery, the podcast team that brought you Dr. Death, Spotlight asks: 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. 

Listen to Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/shows/gladiator/ now.


12 Episodes
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Comments (67)

DAVID MAC

I spent the last year of Aaron's life two cells over. this "junkie " who claims he was Aaron's lover in G2in Shirley max.. is full of crap.. he clung to Aaron for fake pot .. k2 sprayed on letters Aaron mind was altered just from his demeanor I know how much pain he hid behind. He loved his family. Cousins too.. why none of them reached out to him earlier?? look me up if u think I'm full of it...

Jul 1st
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Jimmy Freese

great job as always wondery. very interesting and truly a sad tale. :-(

Apr 15th
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Mary Barros

I'm not a podcast kind of person and found myself truly enjoying this series. Tremendous investigative reporting. And an incredibly sad story with lots of loss and numerous victims. Aaron likely killed at least 3 individuals but a lot of people - throughout his entire life - also failed him.

Feb 12th
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Alan Walker

great podcast well done to all involved ,heartbreaking story for all who came into contact with Aaron

Jan 27th
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Aubree Barbosa

is anyone also thinking about the recent decline of Antonio Brown its very sad to see as well.

Jan 27th
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John Baker

Loved the football player..I'm from Massachusetts blown away by how this guy could sabotage his life..

Jan 27th
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Toba Moradeyo

Can't wait for O.J CTE

Jan 18th
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Gloria Jaimez

this is such a sad story!

Feb 11th
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David Trent

Great coverage to such a tragic story

Feb 6th
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Luis Cardenas

pl l

Feb 4th
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Luis Cardenas

pl l

Feb 4th
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Luis Cardenas

pl

Feb 4th
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Mope.Lament.Ennui.

ridiculous. So many players suffer from CTE but he's the first and only to commit murder. CTE does not excuse his actions, personality, and criminal ways.

Feb 1st
Reply (2)

Aut Qast

This is such a heartbreaking tragedy on all sides, for anyone with a heart in a broken world, and there are billions of the same threads to stories worldwide, yet, as long as money and power rule, nothing will ever, ever, change for the same reasons, money & power rule and it is devastating the further away from the headlines you get, it only gets worse at every level. This is just a tough glimpse into one side and one fraction of a much much deeper pool we all reside in under the oversight of the elite and the Systemic virus of power that runs so deep, it may never even be able to be cut out.

Jan 16th
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Yolanda Esquer

I hate football , for many reasons...

Jan 15th
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Brian C.

Blaming CTE in any capacity for this piece of shit's decision to murder multiple people, is a cop out. Hernandez was a HORRIBLE human being. I hope he's burning in hell.

Jan 14th
Reply (2)

Scott 1974

Enough with the alphabet stuff, lbxyzweidb

Jan 12th
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Jessica Rainey

Excellent story! And I don't watch football but this is about how life is complex.

Jan 11th
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edwin tomy

good one

Jan 6th
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bob caygeon

Well done. Cant wait for Adam Sandler to play him when the series is optioned to netflix. Shaby-do-da-da!

Jan 4th
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