Rob Gronkowski Says Actor Portraying Him inAmerican Sports Story: Aaron HernandezIsa 'Good Friend' of 14 Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Rob Gronkowski (left); Laith Wallschleger.Photo:Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Thomas Cooper/Getty

Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Thomas Cooper/Getty

Former NFL starRob Gronkowskishared a fun fact regarding the actor who currently stars as him on the Ryan Murphy-helmed limited seriesAmerican Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.

In an interview withKay Adamson theUp & Adamsshow on Thursday, Oct. 10, the retired tight-end revealed that actor Laith Wallschleger is actually his “good friend” of almost 15 years who has frequently acted as his double in multiple projects.

“It was definitely over the top,” Gronkowski stated about Wallschleger’s portrayal of him. “And [do] you want to know a fun fact, Kay — that is my good friend Laith [Wallschleger], who is playing me. I’ve known him for about 14 years,” he said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“He’s been my double. He’s shorter though, than me. He’s not as jacked as me either that’s for sure. And he’s not as sweet either as me, but he’s all right. He does have the laugh down,” the four-time Super Bowl champion said.

Although the two are friends, Gronkowski had a bit of good-natured fun and commented that Wallschleger was a little “exaggerated” in his portrayal.

Rob Gronkowski.Noam Galai/Getty

Noam Galai/Getty

“And he definitely went over the top and I feel like it just fit the show perfectly though, especially with all of the other characters, and coach [Bill] Belichick and just seeing [Patriots owner] Robert Kraft in this show as well,” he said.

“I feel like definitely like I said, over the top — a little exaggerated, that’s for sure. But it played the part in how this show was produced from all the clips that I saw,” Gronkowski added.

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandezairs Tuesday nights on FX and episodes are also available to stream on Hulu.

source: people.com