Friday Night Lights: 25 years later 

I-right wiggle 34 switchblade, for the state championship. I love all y’all, I love all of ya 💔

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

Was on a football team that lost in states, all year we were underdogs and we rose to the occasion, you miss the game but you miss the bond the most

Many of us will never ride that emotional high that football used to bring to us. I played QB, I got to start as a senior finally, after sitting two years behind an eventual D1 stud. The day after our last game as a junior, I knew I would have every shot to start and be the next guy. I got my shot. Everywhere I went I felt like a celebrity, everyone asks about how the team looks, comments on how good we look in practice, they can’t wait to see us play. Folks would come watch us practice and their little kids would line the fence leading to the field…almost like you were a real NFL player. It was magical. The newspaper chooses one player at the beginning of each year to do an exposé on, and I was the lucky guy. I couldn’t believe it and 17 years later, when I think about it all, and what we did, it was quite a time. Although we didn’t meet expectations, it will be a cherished memory forever. Hanging with my teammates, going for food, playing video games at the selected house of the week, fake WWE matches, real boxing matches, hot tub parties, drinking stolen beers by a fire in the middle of a field in the heart of Pennsylvania. Scoring that first touchdown, tossing that first touchdown pass, man those memories will never die. The younger kids lining the fences to give you a high five walking back to the locker rooms at halftime, you were really a celebrity for a couple moments in time. Those time don’t last, and you never realize how much you miss them until time passes. Now I’m a dad, I have two children of my own, so I can take my kids to the football games, with my grandfather, just like my dad used to do with me. Football is more than a game sometimes. It brings communities together around a bunch of kids, playing a game that we all wish we could lace them up for, one last time. When the band plays “Ironman” by Black Sabbath, (our school mascot is the ironmen), I still get a little juiced, all these years later.

I miss playing ball more then anything in the world.

If i watch friday might lights enough times they'll win. 💔

This is why we played the game! Doesn't matter your color or background. All one family!!

Best damn FOOTBALL MOVIE EVER MADE IDGAD WHAT ANYONE SAYS

That part of the book, where the star running back injured his knee, was no longer a prime recruit, ended up on a community college squad, and was talking to his uncle after a game, among the classroom trailers, was so moving....

Chavez looks like he’s a fierce competitor in Storage Wars

I’m 19 and miss it more and more every day as I grow older. Took it all for granted. Now I have college, work, responsibilities as a young adult. Those practices after school, stepping onto that turf under those Friday night lights with your brothers. Being able to strap up those pads and helmet buckles, worrying about absolutely nothing. I Miss having only one responsibility; football. No one realizes how much football really means until it’s taken from you. But as I continue to miss it, I know that football built my foundation for me as a man going through life. Football was just one stage in my life, preparing me for the many more stages in my life. It built My mentality, my toughness, the work it takes to earn your spot. Those hours upon hours I spent after school in the weight room. I’m forever grateful and blessed that I was able to play the best sport in the world. Time flies when you’re having fun, Loved every moment.

I played in Andrews (30 miles north) during this time. I knew a lot of the players, in fact we used to get in fights with them quite often. They were a great football team. The movie brought back great memories. Not sure how things are In high school life in West Texas these days, but the movie was very accurate depicting those party life parts. Also, the eat, sleep, breathe high school football was accurate. I hope those guys are all doing well in their adult lives.

Texas football in the 80's was just insane!!! 1987 graduate from Galveston Texas!

Despite not being a huge football fan I decided to read Friday Night Lights on a whim. My expectations were low and I honestly didn’t know if I’d even read until the end. Finished the book in just under four days, could not put it down. Surprisingly, it really hit me on an emotional level, particularly Boobie’s outcome. I felt awful for him. On a personal level, I could relate to the idea that for many of the players high school football would be the highest point of their lives. They were blessed to be a part of it, cursed by the subsequent memories and longing to revisit that brief but spectacular window of time. I’ve struggled with this in my life as well, only instead of football it’s my time as an active duty U.S. Marine. Despite leaving active and achieving much in my life, I can’t help but sometimes feel hollow on the inside, like a part of my soul is missing. A piece of my identity. Anywho, just figured I’d offer my two cents.

My dad was on his high school football team. Even cooler (in regards to the Friday Night Lights story), my dad was the starting defensive tackle for Amarillo Palo Duro in 1988. That was the team Permian was playing in the scrimmage that Boobie Miles got hurt. My dad was about 15 feet away from that injury. It’s an interesting story to hear considering how famous this story is. (Palo Duro was also the team that knocked Midland Lee out of the playoffs in the first round that year. My dad looks fondly back at that game.)

Clear eyes, full hearts....

I played high school football in the early 70’s...incredibly great memories. I still get chills thinking back on it.

this is my hometown bro I've played on that same exact field

Loved that movie as a kid.

man i love high school football...sucks that next year is my last year...

I've read the book three times. Seen the movie probably ten times. Currently watching the TV series for the fourth time. I love it all!

You really feel that connection while sweating, bleeding, playing through injuries and fighting like dogs on that field. I’ll forever miss playing with my brothers in Ratliff

Nothin like home sweet home, born of dreams and success.. stay well and vigilant. Go Mojo. Class of 81’. Rock on guys.💯🇺🇸😎🌪🌎

So proud to be a panther... regardless if we win or lose we will always support MOJO.

I was born and raised here in Odessa Tx and graduated from Permian in the early 90s. The football program hasn’t ever been the same after 1990. Now they cannot even make it to the playoffs and the turn out at the games isn’t like the glory days of Mighty Mojo.

yeah i could relate to me played high school football and did not play another snap and i dropped a pick 6 every time i drive by that stadium wish i would’ve tried harder one thing i learned is don’t take things for granted

I played at Waxahachie HS, in Waxahachie, TX. Every team we lost to in the playoffs won state. We lost to Ennis my sophomore and junior year, Ennis won state both years. We lost to Denton Ryan in the playoffs, Denton Ryan won state. In 2002, we lost to Denton Ryan again in the playoffs. They won state I believe. In 2003, after I graduated in 2001, we lost to Corsicana HS in the playoffs. Corsicana lost to Smithson Valley who won state that year. That's one thing I miss, the locker room, the friendships, the battles in practice, the games, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS...

I attended my first game there last night. Permian 49 Odessa 28

The best sports movie in my opinion. I love this movie and I’m in marching band 😂

To people outside of Texas, the thought of driving three hours to a high school football game is unheard of. Texas HS football is the real deal.

My favorite sports movie growing up made me love football even more! MOJO football baby!

I played for Permian during the early 80s

Such an amazing story.

And.... this is in my Favorites. God I really loved that movie.

They won state in ‘90. Yes there is a happy ending!

Amazing ‼️

October 1991, i played football in a small town in oklahoma. One night after a game, a buddy of mine was in the locker room reading this book.

Hands down the movie of my generation. Graduated HS 2007. 04-07 we're the best. "Leave No Doubt".

This gives me chills

Remember playing on that field in the 80s. Man that was so fun times.

i played football in the mid to late 80's in upstate new york a little town called Norwich, we did not have lights so we played on saturday afternoons in a valley with the leaves of all color, the hills were under fire. I remember walking to the high school before the game kicking the leaves as i'm walking. Not Texas but I still have the same memories. About our little town of Norwich New York, there is a 4 page column in one of the 1993 sports illustrated magazine called.... my kinda of town, this was the year when Norwich played in the state championship, if you like football (High School football) and a home town feeling then this is the read for you.

Got goosebumps for real, so the magic is real men

Excellent!!!

I live in midland Odessa and Love the football history. It’s still a tradition as always. Nothing beats the rivalry between Lee and Permian

I'm watching Friday Night Lights again now and it's suchhhhh a good story.

wouldn't mind if this was a full feature doc ;)

My dad gave me this book years ago. So glad he did...

wow love the movie!

This is where I grew up

I grew up watching this ... even the mini series .. hell even 2 a days with Hoover Alabama ... I miss football so much .. it’s been 8 years since my last game . Still so empty without it

Awesome!

Such a great movie

I have always played Football On Monday Night' Tuesday Night' Thursday Night' and especially underneath those Friday Night Lights!. Go Permian Panthers!.

Undoubtedly one of, if not the best stories in US modern history. I love the series and the movie.. had no idea it was real, and written about in 88

Wish they would bring back that series

They definitely represented their community well too. My favorite football movie right after Remember The Titans

Definitely makes ya think about your childhood especially if you grew up in Texas as I did in North Texas (The Colony) although it has changed greatly since I was in high school but it’s still home and always a great part of my life. A lot of memories that I have of playing football in my life. The love of the game.....

Great movie

So proud to see the Ratliff stadium on a nicely shot RU-vid video :)))) go mojo !!!!

The show was unbelievable 💯💯💯💪🏿✊🏿

I'm binge-watching the TV series now. Never saw the film and never saw the series when it was played. The TV series is extraordinary, where the descriptor relates to the story structure and the characters. The writing is terrific. I probably avoided the film and series when they played because there has always been something fundamentally øffensive about high school football. I played high school football and found offensive the notion that for many guys a decade or two after, high school football represented the best years of their lives. What a terrible thing to do to middle adolescents who will live 50-60 years after high school is over -- to let them believe in their hearts that three years of running and knocking people down are the best years. I played in college, as well, and found my on-field friends to be smart enough not to let football be that influential.

Best movie!

Man Mike Winchell was cast perfectly! Lucas Black looked like him, talked like him, and had that exact same energy and presence.

I remember coming across this book in a used book store. I’d never heard of it, but it turned out to be a great book, and not just about football. Life. I loved the movie, but the movie didn’t really bring out what the book was really about. All in all, one in a number of movies that’s better read then watched.

Football is the greatest shit ever, no doubt.

That movie came out when I was still playing high school football. I was in awe thinking how cool it would be if my team/town was like that. Then again that was in the 80’s and things were different then.

The feels

Great story indeed. Made me want to follow Panther football a bit just to see the tradition. I live in Parkersburg WV so it has a rich history of football itself. Stadium field was great to come out to on Friday nights. But I dream of at least catching one Permian-Midland Lee game in person at Ratliff before I leave this earth lol

My man Ivory!!

I work at Permian HS…never seen the movie or the TV show. Go MOJO!

This is why we STAND and respect our flag!!!

It all started with a town, a team, and a dream.

I know the feeling. Someone should go to the Rio Grande Valley and ask for PSJA BEARS learn their history. 2 back to back state championship games and in 1995 we made a huge turn around. We would pray on the sideline and before we would get the play going. We played for the love and tradition PSJA has. Now its so different

I love pantheres .

Being perfect!!!

NFL network need make A Football Life Real Friday night light.

They are still pretty good, they destroyed us my Freshman year. 😂 gonna enjoy my last year as Varsity.

would love to visit there those cheerleaders look fine

Every high school senior team plays for tradition

loved both the movie and show. Just got both for cheistmas so i watch them again

This could've been longer and better.

Nice 👍

Just finished the book... wow...

Before I got my career I work shitty jobs but the pride I got from football would’ve kept my chin up no matter what I was doing for the rest of my life thank God for Friday night

Went tooo Midland lee during this time . Great great football in west Texas

They need to bring back Friday night lights

I live here

I remember 1973 Snyder Texas Tigers Played Permian. I was a Senior. We lost to permian by 3 points. A field Goal by a Kicker who later kicked 63 yards against Abilene High School for a state record

Grew up watching the outsiders being I grew up on Tulsa

I played high school football in Illinois from 93'-97' and met a Texas boy a lil older than me and he said that alot of those kids are juicing in Texas because it means so much

The way that ivory and Brian look at each other, you'd think they're adopted brothers who spent time away from each other.

I would love to see State Champs from each state play in some sort of playoff! To many games but would be awesome

I'm gonna be a Permian freshman this year

By today's standards, the Perrimen players back then were tiny guys. Google back to see their actual heights/weights. Never-the-less, those young men could play some ball. Much respect and their story will always influence people today and in the future.

RIP Chris Comer😢💖🙏

If you want to see an amazing video about a small football town where the whole community community comes out. Watch "What is a Mustang".. It's about my school. My community, the band, the football team, the cheerleaders, the student section, and all of the fans. ! It's all of the band, fans, cheerleaders, student section, and many others.

Woo! I live in Odessa Texas

Heres a cool story, bro. I played highschool football, on the same team as the Bill Dozer. We womped all other teams, including Dallas Carter and Polk High, as i had 4 touchdowns in those games!!!

I live Odessa tx and I live right by mojo !😂

@mike Sullivan a group named explosions in the sky from Midland tx did mostly all of the instrumental for the film and I notice some similarities so try them good luck