Even those who didn't consider themselves football fans are captivated by the series more than just a sports drama, as it gives a peek into this community ruled by the love of the game and the interesting characters that populate Dillon, Texas.
The series is an emotional and entertaining journey that concludes with a heartwarming finale after five seasons. With all the characters that come and go throughout the show and the growth they experienced, the first and last lines of the main characters give a hint at their journeys.
Jason Street
"Yes sir, he was my coach all through Pee Wee and Coach Taylor's been QB coaching me since freshman and JV years, so it's been a while." / "Panthers!"
Jason Street is introduced as the star quarterback of the Dillon Panthers, who explains his long history with Coach Taylor to a reporter. In the final season, Jason returns to Dillon to cheer on his old team who are playing against Coach Taylor's new team.
The mentor relationship between Jason and his coach is cemented in the first scene, as is Jason's incredible promise as an athlete. Despite a life-changing injury, it's touching to see Jason return to Dillon as a happy man who is still able to cheer on the team that he loves.
Tyra Collette
"What's that supposed to mean?" / "I have dreams, Tim."
In the first episode, Tyra is introduced waking up with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Tim Riggins and takes offense to Tim's brother's comment about living like they are in Maxim magazine. In the finale, Tyra returns to Dillon and reunites with Tim, but is wary of rekindling their romance, as she has plans for herself.
Tim and Tyra seem like a pretty mutually destructive pair when first introduced, but the finale finds them together as two very different people. Tyra has matured a lot and is planning on doing big things with her life, even though she still has feelings for Tim.
Vince Howard
"Vince." / "Yes sir."
Michael B. Jordan started his incredible rise to fame after ing Friday Night Lights in season 4 as Vince Howard. He makes a memorable first impression as cops bring him to meet Coach Taylor. In the state championship game in the finale, Coach Taylor puts it on Vince to win the game and he confidently assures him he will.
The relationship between Vince and Coach Taylor is one of the most heartwarming in the whole series. Their nervous and awkward introduction evolves into this partnership of respect that leads them both to accomplish great things.
Lyla Garrity
"Rally rehearsal tonight." / "Goodbye."
Lyla Garrity is introduced as part of an affluent Dillon family and one of the cheerleaders for the Dillon Panthers. She returns to Dillon in season 4 to briefly rekindle her romance with Tim Riggins, only to leave shortly after.
When she is first introduced, Lyla feels like she has everything a girl from Dillon could want. Her perfect world is shattered numerous times throughout the series before she starts a new life. Her final goodbye illustrates why she and Tim could never work – he will never leave Dillon and she needs to.
Landry Clarke
"You know I think I'm gonna get me one of them signs that says 'Landry Clarke: Utterly Useless.'" / "And he's always loved you."
Landry immediately establishes himself as someone who doesn't fit in in Dillon, remarking about the signs on the football players' lawns and imagining getting one for himself. In the finale, Landry gives Matt advice about asking Coach Taylor if he could marry his daughter, sarcastically saying Coach has always liked Matt.
Landry Clarke was one of the most entertaining characters on the show and these two lines show why. He was the refreshing comic relief and Jesse Plemons gave a wonderful dry-witted performance in the role.
Matt Saracen
"Okay Grandma, I made you two tuna fish sandwiches and I put your medicine in the green Gatorade, okay?" / "Oh, wow!
In the first episode, Matt Saracen is shown getting ready for practice, while also caring for his grandmother. The finale finds his grandmother excitedly showing off the wedding dress she wants Julie to wear and Matt's surprised reaction to it.
His first scene proves that football was never going to be the most important thing in Matt's life. It's touching to see that even when starting his own family, his grandmother is still such a big part of his life.
Julie Taylor
"Yes?" / "You really believe that?"
During the first episode, Landry and Matt approach Julie at the local dinner and she awkwardly greets them as they hover by her table. While discussing their marriage, Matt reassures Julie that they are making the right choice, despite her parents being upset.
Julie was sometimes a frustrating character, especially when it came to her relationship with Matt. But it is sweet that their first and last scene has them meeting for the first time then starting their new life together.
Tim Riggins
"Yup." / "Texas forever."
As the rest of the team is getting ready for practice, Tim Riggins is waking up drunk after a night of partying and dismissing his brother's advice. In the finale, Tim and his brother are sharing a beer while building a house together and saluting each other with their shared motto, "Texas forever."
Tim was always the bad boy of the show and it didn't change a whole lot throughout the series. However, it is nice to see that in the end, he seems to acknowledge that his brother was always there for him, even when they didn't see eye to eye.
Tami Taylor
"Hey." / You ready to go home?"
Tami Taylor is introduced in the first episode as she goes to visit her husband, Coach Eric Taylor, who is staying late at work. The final shot of the show finds Tami visiting Eric on the field at his new job to bring him home at the end of the day.
These two scenes mirror each other, but what's notable is the different circumstances. In the first scene, is the family adjusting to Eric's new job, but in the finale, they relocated to allow Tami the chance to follow her career.
Coach Eric Taylor
"Tommy, welcome." / "Yeah, let's go."
During his first practice, Coach Taylor is being interviewed by news reporters who he welcomes to Dillon. After Tami comes to get him on the field in the finale, they leave together as the lights in the field turn off.
The first line simply shows the immense pressure Coach Taylor is under as the new head coach, as he is already under media scrutiny. His final line in the finale just reiterates that as important as football is, family comes first for Eric.