American Sports Story: Lance Armstrong’s drug scandal and 5 real-life events I wish the show would address after Aaron Hernandez’s season

Ryan Murphy has several titles on TV schedule 2024including Grotesquerie and (the heavily criticized) Monster. Another show Murphy produced is The Fresh Mint American sports history. As the title suggests, the Stu Zicherman-created anthology series focuses on notable stories related to athletics. Season 1 revolves around the rise and fall of late New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez. A second season has not been announced as of this writing, but I think Lance Armstrong and several other topics should be highlighted.

With well-reviewed first season of American Crime StoryRyan Murphy and co. dipped his feet into the world of sports by investigating the OJ Simpson murder trial. Sports story gives creative and his team a chance to really dig into athletes and their stories. Like its predecessors, this series has a dark theme, and that trend is likely to continue if FX greenlights another season. That statement is part of what informed my thinking when creating the following list of real events that could serve as narrative material for future episodes.

Lance Armstrong speaks with Peter Attia MD — (Image credit: Peter Attia MD)

Lance Armstrong is at the center of a doping scandal

Retired American cyclist Lance Armstrong was the subject of doping allegations for years, before serious action was taken. The United States Anti-Doping Agency conducted an investigation and made charges based on Armstrong’s blood tests from 2009 and 2010. After legal proceedings, the cyclist was determined to have led a major doping ring and was not only stripped of various awards but also given a lifetime ban from the International Cycling Union. Armstrong later admitted that he doped for much of his career.

This particular situation seems to be made for American sports history. A theoretical season focused on Lance Armstrong would feature plenty of highs (complete with what could be some excellent cycling sequences) as well as his massive lows. A story like this may not be as bleak as Aaron Hernandez’s situation, although it does represent a low point in the sport’s history.

Joe Paterno speaks during a press conference

(Image credit: Big 10 Network)

Penn State is embroiled in a child sexual abuse scandal

In 2011, Pennsylvania State University became embroiled in controversy when reports of child sexual abuse allegations were leveled against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. It was alleged that Sandusky had been involved in numerous incidents that happened between 1994 and 2009. He was ultimately convicted of 52 counts of child abuse and ultimately found guilty on 45. For his crimes, Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.

The case also had far-reaching effects on the school as a whole. According to the FBI’s findings, the late football head coach Joe Paterno and school board officials were aware of the incidents and failed to report them. Paterno, who was also accused of covering up details of Jerry Sandusky’s abuse of a male minor, was ultimately fired as coach in 2011. Additionally, the NCAA revoked Penn State’s wins between 1998 and 2011, although they were eventually reinstated in 2015.

A number of the events involved in this case were covered in the 2018 HBO-produced film, Paternowhat stars Al Pacino in the title role (and is available to stream with a Max subscription). However, should Story covers all of this in one of its seasons, it can use that long time to dive even further into the details.

Metta Sandiford-Artest discusses "Malice at the Palace" on Netflix's Untold

(Image credit: Netflix)

Ron Artest participates in “Malice at the Palace” and other controversies

Long regarded as one of the NBA’s most distinctive personalities, Ron Artest (whose legal name is now Metta Sandiford-Artest) is no stranger to success and controversy. The All-star and championship winner has had his share of legal issues, with the most significant as “the evil of the palace.” In that 2004 altercation, Artest became involved in a massive brawl involving other members of the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and fans. He was subsequently suspended for the rest of that season and missed 86 games including the playoffs.

Even before that infamous night, Metta Sandiford-Artest had been involved in other controversial situations during his career. He notably had a heated confrontation with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, broke a camera at Madison Square Garden and drank Hennessy brandy during halftime of a Chicago Bulls game. And even after “Malice”, Artest was arrested for domestic violence.

On top of all that, a season off American sports history could highlight his younger years, including the moment he witnessed the death of 19-year-old player Lloyd Newton during a basketball tournament. Mr. Artest – who is something of a media personality these days – has settled down considerably and his story does not have a seriously bleak ending. But his life and career would still make for a pretty compelling season for the latest American story series.

Simone Biles in the arena during the Tokyo Olympics.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and more revealed

One of the most tragic incidents to hit the world of athletics in the past decade is the sexual assault scandal involving USA Gymnastics. The case came to light in 2016 and eventually saw more than 500 gymnasts claim they experienced sexual abuse as underage at the hands of coaches, gym owners and more, starting in the 90s. Larry Nassar – a longtime USAG doctor – was a central figure in the situation, as 256 women accused him of sexual assault, including famous Olympians Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas.

In the aftermath, Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years after pleading guilty to seven counts of aggravated sexual conduct. In addition, officials for USAG, the United States Olympic Committee and more were either fired or resigned. The scandal as a whole is still seen as the biggest in the history of sports. And with that, I wouldn’t be surprised if it featured in a future season of American sports history.

Eddie Johnson is at the free throw line while playing for the Atlanta Hawks

(Image credit: CBS)

“Fast Eddie” Johnson’s NBA career is plagued by legal issues

A talented player best known for his heroics on the court with the Atlanta Hawks from 1977 to 1986, “Fast Eddie” Johnson was known for his volatile attitude and wild antics during the offseason. Johnson struggled with substance abuse, having become addicted to cocaine while a college player at Auburn University (where he also had problems with coach Bob Davis).

After an unsuccessful stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Florida native had a successful run with the Tampa Bay Thrillers of the Continental Basketball Association. That run would lead to his return to the NBA as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics, before being suspended from the league in 1987 for missing mandatory counseling sessions. After that, he never played professional basketball again.

Throughout his career, Eddie Johnson was involved in a number of incidents, including a situation in 1980 where he jumped from a two-story building while being pursued by two men who were shooting at him. Diagnosed with manic depression during his playing days, the disgraced shooter was convicted of a number of crimes including robbery, rape, drug possession, burglary and more.

In 2006, “Fast Eddie” was arrested for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl and later convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, indecent and lewd molestation of a minor and trespassing. He was ultimately sentenced to a mandatory life sentence for his crimes and died of unknown causes while serving time at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in 2020. Given all that is known about Johnson, he definitely seems like a subject that would appeal to the producers of a scripted drama series.

Oscar Pistorius interviews with the Paralympic Games

(Image credit: Paralympics)

Oscar Pistorius is sentenced for murdering his girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius of South Africa rose to prominence as a sprinter, winning honors at multiple Paralympic Games, the Paralympic World Cup and more. The acclaimed runner was at the center of a murder trial in 2013, however, after he killed his girlfriend, 29-year-old lawyer and model Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorious shot her four times in his Pretoria home, claiming he thought she was an intruder. The athlete was ultimately found guilty of aggravated murder and reckless endangerment with a firearm for a separate situation.

While the Paralympian received five years for culpable homicide and a concurrent three-year suspended sentence for the reckless endangerment charge, the state appealed his conviction in 2015. As a result, Oscar Pistorius was instead found guilty of murder and sentenced to six years – only for the state to again appeal a longer sentence. Pistorius was then sentenced to 15 years and in January 2024 he was paroled. In short, this case seems like it would fit with the Ryan Murphy-produced sports series.

As it stands, we’ll just have to wait and see what lies ahead Sports story however, based on the real-life scenarios that have been laid out, the producers have options for future seasons. Of course, even if new episodes are ordered, they probably wouldn’t land anywhere on it TV schedule 2025but it’s still interesting to think about what might happen if the program moves forward.

New episodes of American sports history airs on Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET on FX and are available to stream the next day with a Hulu subscription.

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American Sports Story: Lance Armstrong’s drug scandal and 5 real-life events I wish the show would address after Aaron Hernandez’s season

Lance Armstrong is at the center of a doping scandal

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Lance Armstrong is at the center of a doping scandal

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