Netflix Documentary Series About Former Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez Coming in January

In the ultimate crossover between football and true crime, the short, tumultuous life of deceased former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is getting the documentary treatment.

Hernandez is infamously know for being found guilty of murdering his friend, Odin Lloyd, in 2013 and was later linked to additional killings in the New England region. As a football player, Hernandez broke into the league in 2010 and forged a potent parternship with Rob Gronkowski, and the tandem went on to form what could have been the most important tight end duo in NFL history. Instead, the upcoming three-part Netflix documentary series will trace what became an incredibly tragic fall.

Hernandez's story is intriguing for a number of reasons. His standout college career at Florida and brief run with the Patriots were so great that many saw him as a future Hall of Fame player, and his impact on the sport as an atypical "move" tight end helped to pave the way for players like Evan Engram and Darren Waller. Moreover, his double-life as a violent criminal profoundly plagued by mental and emotional instability become a frequent topic in the true crime community, as he is the highest-profile athlete since OJ Simpson to be tied to such heinous acts.

Judging from Netflix's success with similar true crime genre programs, including "Making a Murderer" and "Wild Country," this docuseries should provude a great deal of insight regarding the course of events that led to Hernandez's death in prison at the age of 27.

The series premiere is scheduled to launch during the upcoming NFL Playoffs.