American Sports Story: Lance Armstrong's Drug Scandal and 5 Real Life Events I'd Like to See the Show Address After Aaron Hernandez's Season

Ryan Murphy has several titles on the TV program 2024included Big question And (the highly criticized one) Monsters. Another show that Murphy produced is the newly minted American sports story. As the title suggests, the Stu Zicherman-created anthology series focuses on remarkable stories about athletics. Season 1 revolves around the rise and fall of late New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez. At the time of writing, a second season has not been announced, but I think Lance Armstrong and several other topics should be highlighted.

With the well reviewed first season of American crime storyRyan Murphy and co. entered the sports world by investigating the OJ Simpson murder case. Sports story gives the creative and his team the opportunity to really delve into athletes and their stories. Like its predecessors, this series features dark subject matter, and that trend will likely continue if FX greenlights another season. That statement is part of what inspired my thinking when I came up with 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 allegations based on Armstrong’s blood samples from 2009 and 2010. After legal proceedings, the motorcyclist was determined to have headed a major doping ring and was not only stripped of several awards, but he also received A lifetime ban from the International Cycling Union. Armstrong later admitted that he had doped for much of his career.

This specific situation seems made for it American sports story. A theoretical season focused on Lance Armstrong would have both its many highs (complete with some excellent cycling sequences) and its huge lows. A story like this may not be as grim as Aaron Hernandez’s situation, but it does represent a low point in the history of the sport.

Joe Paterno speaks during a press conference

(Image credit: Big 10 Network)

Penn State is embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal

In 2011, Pennsylvania State University became embroiled in controversy when reports of child sex abuse allegations were made against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. It was alleged that Sandusky had been involved in numerous incidents that occurred between 1994 and 2009. He was ultimately convicted on 52 counts of child molestation 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 consequences for the school as a whole. According to FBI findings, late football head coach Joe Paterno and officials with the school’s board of directors knew about 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.

Some of the events involved in this case were featured in the 2018 HBO-produced film, Paternowhich stars Al Pacino in the titular role (and is available to stream with a Maximum subscription). However, must Story were to cover all of this during one of the seasons, it could use the longer amount of time to delve even further into the details.

Metta Sandiford-Artest in conversation "The evil in the palace" on Netflix's Untold

(Image credit: Netflix)

Ron Artest takes part in the “Malice At The Palace” and other controversies

Long considered one of the NBA’s most distinctive personalities, Ron Artest (whose legal name is now Metta Sandiford-Artest) is no stranger to both success and controversy. The all-star and championship winner has had his share of legal troubles, chief among them being ‘The Malice in the Palace’. That altercation in 2004 left Artest embroiled in a full-scale brawl involving fellow members of the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit Pistons and fans. He was subsequently suspended for the remainder of that season and missed 86 games, including the playoffs.

Even before that infamous night, Metta Sandiford-Artest was involved in other controversial situations during his career. Notably, he had a heated confrontation with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, smashed 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.

Besides all that, a season of American sports story 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 calmed down considerably and his story doesn’t really have a bleak ending. However, his life and career would still make for quite a fascinating season for the latter American story series.

Simone Biles in the arena during the Tokyo Olympics.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Sexual abuse by American gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and more has been exposed

One of the most tragic incidents to happen to the athletics world in the past decade is the sex abuse scandal involving USA Gymnastics. The case came to light in 2016 and eventually more than 500 gymnasts claimed they experienced sexual abuse as minors by coaches, gym owners and more, starting in the ’90s. Larry Nassar – a longtime doctor for USAG – was a crucial figure in the situation, as 256 women accused him of sexual abuse, including well-known 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 criminal sexual conduct. In addition, officials from USAG, the United States Olympic Committee and more were fired or resigned. The scandal as a whole is still considered the biggest in sports history. And with that, I wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up in a future season American sports story.

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

(Image credit: CBS)

‘Fast Eddie’ Johnson’s NBA career has been plagued by legal troubles

“Fast Eddie” Johnson, a talented player best known for his on-field exploits with the Atlanta Hawks from 1977 to 1986, was known for his volatile attitude and wild offseason antics. Johnson struggled with substance abuse, having become addicted to cocaine when he was 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 he was suspended from the league in 1987 for missing mandatory counseling sessions. He never played professional basketball again after that.

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 chased by two men who shot at him. The disgraced shooting guard was diagnosed with manic depression during his playing days and was convicted of a number of offenses including theft, battery, drug possession, burglary and more.

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

Oscar Pistorius interviews with the Paralympics

(Image credit: Paralympic Games)

Oscar Pistorius is convicted of murdering his girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius, from South Africa, rose to fame as a sprinter and won prizes at the various Paralympic Games, the Paralympic World Cup and more. However, the acclaimed runner found himself at the center of a murder case in 2013, after killing his girlfriend, 29-year-old paralegal and model Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorious shot her four times at his Pretoria home, claiming he thought she was an intruder. The athlete was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a firearm for a separate situation.

While the Paralympian received five years for manslaughter and a concurrent three-year sentence for reckless endangerment, the state appealed his conviction in 2015. As a result, Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced to six years – only for the state to appeal again for a longer sentence. Pistorius was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in January 2024 released on parole. In short, this case seems to fit the sports series produced by Ryan Murphy.

As it stands now, we’ll just have to wait and see what awaits us Sports story but based on the real scenarios laid out, the producers have options for future seasons. Even if new episodes are ordered, they probably won’t end up anywhere on the site TV program 2025but it’s still interesting to think about what could happen as the show continues.

New episodes of American sports story airs Tuesdays at 10pm ET on FX and will be available to stream the next day with a Hulu subscription.