One of the unforeseen benefits of the past year’s “lockdown” has been the opportunity to “binge watch” a variety programs that we missed when they were originally broadcast. One such series is Friday Night Lights a five-season drama that aired on NBC from 2006-2011 that follows the lives of the Dillon Panthers, one of the nation’s best high school football teams and their head coach Eric Taylor (portrayed by Kyle Chandler).
One of the most moving and enduring scenes takes place between Coach Taylor and his star high school running back, Brian “Smash” Williams (played by Gaius Charles) during a long-awaited, “walk on” tryout at Texas A&M. In the series, Williams received a college scholarship which he ended up losing due to an altercation with law enforcement after a race-baiting incident with another student. To make matters worse he then injures his knee which deprives him of the opportunity pursue his dream of playing college football in hopes of ultimately being drafted by the NFL.
Even though Williams gives up on himself, Coach Taylor never gives up on Williams. Coach Taylor makes it his personal mission to help Williams pursue his God-given talent in order to realize his dream to play college ball as a stepping-stone to the NFL.
We should all be so fortunate to have a Coach Taylor in our lives. Someone who believes in us more than we believe in ourselves and invests their time and energy in us so that we can achieve our dreams and maximize our god given gifts.
I hope you’re inspired by the six-minute video clip of the scene that depicts the culmination of Williams career as he’s encouraged by the coach in his corner.
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