10 Things Coach Eric Taylor Taught Me

“Friday Night Lights” was my winter (and apparently spring) break Netflix binge. The show was full of memories of high school football, southern accents and drama, but most importantly Coach Eric Taylor.

Coach Taylor was the glue that held together the show, the team, his family and was an inspiration to viewers as well. Through my time watching “Friday Night Lights,” I learned a few things from the Coach myself. Even if you have not seen the show, or you are a die-hard fan, you can take something away from Coach’s wise words.

1. Give 100 percent of yourself.

Coach Taylor’s life was dedicated to his family, but also football. If he wasn’t on the field or the locker room he was watching game tape, game tape and more game tape. While this was his job he was dedicated to it and put forth everything to be the best.

2. Treat the ones you love with the love they deserve.

Tammy and Eric Taylor’s relationship deserve to go down in the record books as one of the all-time most supportive, trusting, loving and respectful marriages of the 21st century.

3. You deserve the reward after you put in hard work.

The Dillon Panther’s were dedicated to the game of football and were always out to work harder. Sometimes it takes an outsider to tell you when your goal has been met and to relish in it.

4. You win some, you lose some, but don’t lose yourself in the process.

It takes a lot of work to hold your ground in a fight- especially one that you might lose. The important thing to remember is to stay true to yourself even if you lose because you don’t want to lose yourself for the goal of winning.

5. Try, try, and try again.

We are judged by our character. People care more for an okay person trying than a great person who knows they are great. Try to be better always. Stay humble. Stay true.

6. That a father can be supportive.

Julie was a lucky girl that took her father for granted. Parents are always going to say that they love you and that you are great. Listen to them- especially when you need to hear it the most.

7. That just because you have the name doesn’t mean you deserve it; you must earn it and work for it.

Winning State, being Number One Up-and-Coming or wearing designer clothes doesn’t mean a thing if you haven’t earned the title. You can wear the clothes, and go around saying that you are part of something bigger than you, but you have to put in the work to actually be a part of it.

8. Sometimes other people are the problem.

It’s not you all the time. We live in a world where we are constantly blaming ourselves for things. Sometimes it takes someone else to say it’s not your fault and that someone else messed up.

9. But first, coffee.

Coffee is the most important meal of the day. You cannot have important conversations before it.

10. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Kyle Chandler, thank you for playing the hell out of a character that has not only gave me great advice but helped me fall back in love with high school football, southern accents and made me believe that there are decent men out there.