It’s also worth noting that Ned wasn’t actually supposed to die that day; Joffrey went off-script and ordered his execution, despite the advice of pretty much everybody.
Whether you subscribe to it or not, this theory is at least proof that Game of Thrones fans can get pretty creative during hiatuses.
The show absolutely played Ned’s death as being the actual death of Ned Stark, and the man who was executed was obviously played by Sean Bean.
All things considered, the theory doesn’t make the most logical sense, but then we are talking about a show with ice zombies and dragons and magic.