Friday Night Lights Essay Example

was not as important as his local roots. He asserts that he stands with the American people and the state of Texas in terms of values. The community admires his understanding of their needs and the importance of persevering and succeeding in challenging circumstances, not only for Odessa but also for the entire state.

Football provides a source of happiness and diversion from the ongoing societal and financial problems. Winning the State Championship elevates Odessa to a position of excellence, overcoming existing difficulties. Additionally, prevailing over rivals such as Odessa High School establishes Permian High's superiority, solidifying its prominence in Texas. This accomplishment enhances the community's appeal. However, it is crucial to recognize that Odessa was previously notorious as America's "murder capital."

Not only was it deemed the fifth worst town to reside in, but the residents of Odessa employed football as a political tool. The aim was to shift focus away from pressing issues such as education, economic decline, and societal concerns. Throughout history, nations have utilized sports to unite people and divert their attention from instability in economy and society. Similarly, Odessa adopts this approach to uphold social order and prevent citizens from rebelling against the government. This strategy helps alleviate frustration and break the monotony of an unremarkable workday for observers.

It is a significant departure and departure from reality. The fans of Permian High appear to believe that winning a football game will lead to greater success than obtaining a good education. The majority of the funding is allocated to the football program rather than education. This lack of attention to education negatively impacts non-athletic students. As evidence, the English department at Permian recently

acquired its first computer, while the football team received a second.

Even the football coach earns a higher salary than the teachers, although it is acknowledged that his job is challenging. However, the school's focus on prioritizing football over education has resulted in it becoming primarily a social hub. As a consequence, students are achieving lower SAT scores and performing poorly in other assessments. Regardless of the values taught or the number of boys prepared for adulthood and societal involvement, Permian High School places ultimate importance on winning football games. The residents of Odessa aspire for their children to become part of Permian's football program.

Family is a crucial institution in society, placing significant pressure on players to fulfill these expectations. Take Don and his father Charlie Billingsley, for instance – their relationship was complex and distant, only growing close through their shared passion for football. Notably, both Don and Charlie were starting tailbacks at Permian. The consequences of losing a game extend beyond the team, affecting the entire town. Fans view the players as professionals and often overlook the fact that they are still high schoolers.

Young players often feel under immense pressure as people place high expectations on them. Parents desire their children to excel in football, as it brings personal pride and earns respect from the community. Additionally, adults heavily rely on these young boys to lead the team to success, believing that victory will bring joy and hope to the entire town. However, the players carry the weight of needing to win every game, knowing that a loss can leave the town feeling miserable and hopeless.

Some players crumbled under pressure due to high expectation

levels. In the semi-final of the state championship, the quarterback, Mike Winchell, felt overwhelmed by the pressure, which affected his throwing ability and led to repeated mistakes. This is a prime example of the negative consequences of parents placing immense pressure on their children in youth sports. The team's defeat to their rival, Midland Lee High School, left the entire town feeling ashamed.

The pressure extended not only to the players, but also to the coach. Following their defeat against Midland Lee, individuals began calling for the Coach's termination, blaming him rather than the players for the loss. Coach Gaines would constantly experience fluctuations in public perception, being hailed as a leader after a Panthers victory and then witnessing acts of vandalism, such as smashed car windows and a For Sale sign on his lawn. The sheer magnitude of pressure on the coach was so intense that he resorted to unethical measures, such as manipulating students' grades, in order to guarantee optimal performance from his team. These actions became the coach's only means of securing his job.

The residents of Odessa share a strong emotional connection with the team and are fully dedicated to it. Football acts as a unifying power within their community, uniting the entire town. Despite having varying backgrounds and encountering different challenges, football provides a shared platform for all. During game days, people from diverse racial backgrounds such as Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics come together in the stadium to witness the game. It is uncommon for these individuals to sit next to each other in any other situation besides football.

Regardless of your profession - whether you're a farmer, mechanic, janitor, or doctor

- everyone in the community thrived when the Panthers triumphed over their rivals. Before desegregation, Permian High School was exclusively white. However, talented black athletes were later admitted to the school and became integral members of the team. All six black players were starters since coaches believed that black individuals matured physically earlier than their white counterparts. Despite prevailing racism in town, black athletes could still join the football team due to their recognized superior athletic abilities which ultimately increased the team's chances of victory.

Observers viewed African American players as talented athletes, but believed their academic performance suffered due to limited education and prioritizing football. Lacking proper education, they saw football as their only means of escaping hardship. Despite knowing they would face discrimination without football, these black athletes felt included and belonged. This exemplifies the socio-emotional aspect of structural functionalism.

Anger consumed Boobie when he sat on the bench, unable to play, ultimately leading to his decision to quit the team. In Odessa, the football field was the only place where interactions with black people occurred. Their talents were exploited, but they were forgotten once their abilities were no longer useful. On the field, however, race and skin color were insignificant; they were identified as Mojos rather than black. The book demonstrates how structural functionalism can provide social mobility through characters like Boobie Miles, for whom football served as a means to escape their disadvantaged neighborhoods.

His uncle trained him and looked after him with the belief that he would ultimately become Permian High's top player and potentially play on a college team. Despite football's prioritization over education, most of these athletes realized that education was

crucial for their future. Maintaining certain grades was a requirement for them to continue playing, even if it meant relying on their educational skills for success, as exemplified by Brian Chavez, who was both a football player and the validictorian of his class.

There was excessive focus on winning to the point where the actual performance in the game didn't matter as long as victory was achieved. The town was so determined to avoid losing that they would manipulate players' grades in order to maintain their eligibility. It is important to note that only a small number of athletes actually succeed at the professional level. People often overlook the fact that countless athletes have dedicated their time trying to make it professionally instead of prioritizing their education. In the book, several players did not attend college after completing high school.

Despite their belief in the potential of football to bring them success, numerous players ultimately squandered their time. However, a small number of committed athletes successfully pursued higher education and obtained degrees. From the perspective of the structural functionalist theory, socialization played a crucial role. The team provided an avenue for players to engage with one another and establish connections that would have been otherwise unattainable. Moreover, the team fostered socialization among black and white players, affording them an opportunity to encounter distinct social dynamics that they might not have experienced had they not been members of the team.

The book illustrated societal gender problems by introducing the "pepettes," a cluster of girls who provided support to the players away from the game. Each girl would present the players with a gift, uplifting their spirits, and highlighting their

revered position, thus reinforcing the idea that women are inferior and have limited career prospects in that particular community. Despite advancements made by women in attaining status and advocating for equality, sexism remains prevalent in American society. There is still much work needed to change people's perception that we are all equal.

In my opinion, Friday Night Lights serves as a compelling portrayal of a football team's true story, highlighting how sports resonate in society. It explores themes like racism, the dynamics of achievement and failure, misplaced priorities, and the influence of aspirations and goals experienced through others. It is unfortunate that this trend persists in modern society. Placing football above everything else ultimately resulted in detrimental consequences for the entire Odessa community. For sports to thrive in our society, they must coexist with other fundamental social institutions, working collectively to ensure societal success.