Image Credit: Bill Records/NBC
It’s been exactly four weeks since Friday Night Lights sailed beautifully through the big goalposts in the sky, so here’s another excuse to moisten those tear ducts. As it turns out, the ending of the original script for the finale included a heartfelt farewell speech by Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) that was to play over the moving montage that showed where our characters wound up eight months later. But when the producers reviewed that sequence during the editing process, “every one of those little moments was much more than what it felt like it was going to be in the script,” explains executive producer Jason Katims. “Because the images ran so long, it was hard for us to figure a graceful way to fit in the speech. Also, I just wanted to let the images stand for themselves…. I loved the speech and the way Kyle did it — and it was one of the things I was really looking forward to in the finale — but after looking at it both ways, I realized that the episode was stronger without it.”
Coach’s sentimental send-off may have been benched for the finale, but it was included on the season 5 DVD as an extra. Make that a well-hidden extra. To uncover it: Go to the menu screen for the finale, choose the “commentary off” button, click right, and select the small football that appears. For those of you with limited access to a DVD player, EW has made it extremely easy for you: Simply press play below. And if you find yourself getting too sad while listening to Coach sign off, just remember: We might see ‘em all again on the big screen!
Read more:
'Friday Night Lights' movie in the works? Can't lose?
'FNL' ends after five heartbreaking seasons
(Getting teary-eyed)
One of the finest shows of this past decade and of all time, it was criminally underrated and I would say far better than the overhyped cable darlings like Mad Men
BUT, I am glad this speech did not make the cut, it feels very out of character for Coach. I do have one nagging question about the series, What ever happened to JD McCoy and his dad? They sort of disappeared and I cannot recall it being explained. Every time I see the actor who plays Joe McCoy on Switched at Birth, I still see him as McCoy and thus hate his character on Switched at Birth
To my understanding , Joe McCoy got divorce and he and his son left town to be closer since his son was acting up.
Never watched this show, never will. Anything about TEXAS, or from it, has got to be crap.
Have to disagree…this is exactly the kind of speech that Coach Taylor would’ve given. Think this would’ve been a pretty great addition to the final scene. Coach Taylor is amazing.
I am an Air Force and single at present .I need a woman who can love me
back ..I also uploaded my hot photos on —-Military’Loves .C óM— under
the name of mason66..It’s the largest and best club for seeking Army, Navy,
Marines, Air Force, Police Force, and the admirers of those who wear the
uniform.I just hope you don’t mind me being a soldier …Please Check it
out!I’m serious.~
Clear Eyes – That was the problem I had with Season 5 too – no mention at all of the McCoys, especially the episode where they played the Panthers. I realize with the small budget they might not have been able to get the actors, but how hard is it to add a line in the script – “They moved.” They were such a huge part of Seasons 3 and 4, to ignore them in Season 5 was just wrong.
Joe McCoy had the best smirk on television.
:’(
Clear eyes, full hearts….???
What is an UNclear eye(s)?
Although that did make me tear up a bit, I’m glad it wasn’t included. Coach was a man of few words – that speech was too much, too out of character.
Completely. agree. Great to hear, but they made a good call not including it.
Agree. It was a bit too shmaltzy. Glad they cut it.
(Goosebumps)
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts…
can’t lose!
The last sentence of his speech just makes the title “Always” that more meaningful.
That’s what I thought. The speech really brought more meaning to the episode’s title. Either way, what an amazing finale.
oh Coach T, thank you for 5 great seasons.
No.
That was cheesy. Coach would “keep it all in”.
“Warm Texas breeze on my face”??? No.
Ok, I both totally agree with you, and totally cried anyway. Even as I was thinking “I’m glad this wasn’t in the final cut,” I started to cry, so . . . I think the balance tips toward awesome.
I have to agree – they were right to leave out this speech. It’s a little too poetic and cheesy for Coach.
I’ll miss the gang in Dillon.
HAHA what a hokey, terrible speech.
@alaskaisbigger
Alaska sucks – let’s face it you are essentially Canadian
Regards, The Greatest State in the Union
TEXAS
As a Canadian, let me assure you. They are very much American.
He said “essentially”…not that they WERE Canadian. But Texas and Alaska have one thing in common: bad governors who wanna be president…Besides, do they EVEN know what football is in Alaska?
Love it.
Agree–the finale was bettter w/o it.
Oy, I love FNL, but I do not love this speech. It does not sound like the character at all. “That hot breeze slapping my face as I walked onto the field”? I’m sorry. No.
aaaw
makes me sad… and the thought of a movie makes me sad also. Why ruin a perfect ending? Had the show been suddenly cancelled, without any closure I would be all for it. But this show had closure, and it “closured” quite well.
Anna Posted on Wish I could have gone with you guys. I always want to look back at Hunter and then I asmolt fall over. Typical me LOVE these pictures of the ride.
I am thankful they didn’t air this during the season finale because I would have been even more of a crying, heaving mess during the final moments.