Rob Gronkowski reveals he was stood up by his on-screen actor from Aaron Hernandez FX series

Clips from FX's new TV series "American Sports Story" about former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez have been going viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. Fans have been poking fun at the casting and acting and the in-game and practice scenes in the show. However, little did they know the best was yet to come.

In the latest episode, the series introduces a fictional version of four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski. The comically exaggerated portrayal of the retired superstar has left viewers in splits.

On the "Up & Adams Show," host Kay Adams showed the former Patriots superstar the clip of his fictional self from the show and asked for his thoughts. Gronkowski claimed he found it hilarious and revealed that he knew the actor playing him on the show. Gronkowski said:

"That is my good friend Laith [Wallschleger] playing me. I've known him for 14 years and he definitely went over the top. But I feel like it fit the show perfectly though. Especially with all the other characters." [From 0:29 to 0:45]

The 35-year-old revealed that the actor, Laith Wallschleger, is his designated stunt double and accompanies him to every shoot. However, Gronkowski suggested that the fame Wallschleger has garnered from his appearance on the TV series has seemingly gone to his head. He told Adams:

"Laith is becoming too big time. Because I actually shot a commercial yesterday too and he was supposed to be my stand in as well. My double. And guess what? He cancelled last second because the clip was going so viral, it became so big time. So ohhh Laith ohhh you are so big time, man." [From 2:23 to 2:38]

Aaron Hernandez TV show: What is it and how to watch?

"American Sports Story" is a 10-part anthology series that follows Aaron Hernandez's rise to fame as a Patriots star to his eventual downfall and untimely demise in prison.

It's based on The Boston Globe's "Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc." podcast. It was released in October 2018 and had eight episodes that focused on the tight end's upbringing, the people in his life, his career and the reasons why his life spiraled.

While the show has been mocked on social media, it has been received well in general and has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 after nearly 600 reviews. The first five episodes are out on Hulu, and the remaining will be released over the next five Saturdays.