Robert Kerr's Friday Night Lights: An Antihero Model?

As football developed into one of the most popular sports in America during the 20th century, it became associated with idealizations. In his framing of Friday Night Lights as an antihero model, Robert Kerr establishes how football developed into the quintessential model of being a gentleman. Walter Camp, one of the earliest coaches and promoters of the game, felt that its standard of excellence emphasized being an honorable and respectable men, going as far as to say that “Whatever bruises he may have in the flesh, his heart is right” (Kerr). By portraying early football players as virtuous men, the sport established a facade that incorporated sportsmanship, tradition, and morality, effectively obscuring its savage nature. Football became

On any given Friday night, an entire town is under the lights playing, cheering, or supporting their team. In 1988, the Permian Panthers were the most successful high school football team in Texas state history (Cherney & Lindemann). H.G. Bissinger told the true story of this team and their town in his book Friday Night Lights. His book was developed into the movie and television series with the same name. All three accounts illustrate the kind of relationship the town has with its team. In particular, the dramatized television series focused its narrative on the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. The show received the positive reviews for its writing, realism, visual imagery, and display of disability. In addition, it was the only series to display disability in the context of sport and sexuality (Cherney & Lindemann). Like many other “sports-based against the odds triumphs,” the television show underlines virtue as an agent for redemption. What sets it apart from other programs is that is highlighting the fragility of life in sport and presents alternative notions of traditional strength and leadership (Butterworth &

Street grew up in a loving, middle class family and dates the head cheerleader. As a football player, he is naturally skilled, but also incredibly hard working and determined. Such qualities combined with his humble, sportsmanlike, and respectful demeanor make him the perfect role model. He is essentially the equivalent to the Merriwell model of the 21st century. When asked by a child if Street thought he would play in the NFL, he replied that he would think about it, but that ultimately, school would come first, and proceeded to lead everyone in prayer (Phillips). In addition, Street is being recruited the University of Notre Dame. He is living the American dream, which tells us that someone like Street should succeed. Therefore choosing him to be the player that becomes seriously injured exposes the reality that there is unfairness in sport