NFL fans have been cracking up at Rob Gronkowski’s portrayal in the new Aaron Hernandez show, and ‘Gronk’ revealed an incredible fact about the actor playing him this week.
Actor Laith Wallschleger, who is playing Gronkowski in Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story – the new show chronicling the latter’s journey from an NFL tight end to convicted murderer – went viral for his exaggerated impersonation of Gronkowski in a scene from the show.
And in speaking on FanDuel TV’s Up and Adams with Kay Adams after, Gronkowski revealed that Wallschleger is actually a close friend of his who is often his body double on commercials.
Gronkowski added that he’s known Wallschleger, a former college football player for the University of Delaware, for 14 years.
‘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,’ Gronkowski said.
Rob Gronkowski revealed that the actor playing him in the new Aaron Hernandez series is actually a close friend of his
Gronkowski believes that Laith Wallschleger’s portrayal of him was ‘over the top’
The 35-year-old conceded that his friend had nailed his laugh in the scene, which saw him and fellow tight end Hernandez – who died by suicide in prison in 2017 – introduce themselves to each other in the Patriots locker room.
Adams was stunned by Gronkowski’s revelation, and the former favorite target of Tom Brady even told Adams that she’d likely met him before.
In the now-viral scene, Gronkowski somewhat cartoonishly informs his new teammate that ‘they call me Gronk’ before excitedly hitting Hernandez in the chest before practice.
Fans also criticized the fact that Hernandez’s actor bore little resemblance to the real player.
Up and Adams host Kay Adams was stunned by Gronkowski’s admission on her show
Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were teammates on the New England Patriots
‘This is why sports biopics never work. I can’t get passed the fact they cast a chubby 5’7″ guy as Aaron Hernandez,’ one fan said on X.
‘Just how low was the budget on this thing?,’ another added.
‘This show looks so cringe but this guy does a good gronk,’
That last sentiment proved to be a common one as many other fans praised Wallschleger for the accuracy of his ‘Gronk.’
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