Smash Williams
Brian "Smash" Williams | |
---|---|
Friday Night Lights character | |
First appearance | "Pilot" |
Last appearance | "Hello, Goodbye" |
Portrayed by | Gaius Charles |
In-universe information | |
Occupation | Former running back of the Dillon Panthers Current running back for Texas A&M University |
Family | Michael Williams (Father, deceased) Corinna Williams (Mother) Sheila Williams (Sister) Noannie Williams (Sister) |
Significant other | Waverly Grady (ex-girlfriend) Noelle Davenport (ex-girlfriend) |
Brian "Smash" Williams is a fictional character in the
Williams is shown to be a jock in the beginning of the show. He starts a feud with
Characterization and background
Brian "Smash" Williams was born in Gatling, Texas – a fictional, predominantly Black, crime-ridden town – in the late 1980s to Michael and Corinna Williams.[2] He grew up there before moving to Dillon, Texas after his father Michael was killed in a car accident with another woman in 1999.[3][4]
Smash is portrayed as a stereotypical
Storylines
Season 1
At the start of the season, Smash is introduced as one of the star players in the Dillon Panthers offense, alongside highly rated senior quarterback
After assistant coach Mac McGill makes controversial comments regarding the abilities of black football players to the press, Smash is at first accepting of his apology. However, discussions with the other black players leads him to become very offended at the comments, and he convinces all the black players to sit out of every game until Mac is fired.[8] However, after his mother tells him to be more careful about picking his battles, he relents and plays in the next game.[9] At the following playoff game against Dunston Valley Cardinals, Smash and the black players face overt and explicit racism from an all-white football team who were involved in the hazing of a player in blackface and the Cardinals don't act differently towards the Panthers' black players. During the game, they are the subject of numerous taunts, corrupt officials and dirty hits leading to a brawl (instigated surprisingly enough by Tim Riggins at Smash's defense over a late hit followed by a racist remark from a Cardinals' Player) that ends the game in a Panthers victory. On the ride home, the team bus is pulled over by local officers who tell the coaches to hand over Smash for a trumped up charge of assault stemming from the last play of the game, but Mac steps up and refuses to let them on the bus without a warrant, resulting in Smash and Mac's reconciliation.[10][11]
At the state championship Smash's former teammate "Voodoo" Tatum, now on the opposing team, offers to let Smash transfer so they can be the same formidable duo again.[12] Smash declines, his loyalty to the Panthers having grown over the season. In the game, Smash gets injured after scoring a touchdown, but returns in time to make a last-second score with no time remaining to complete a Panther comeback to win the state championship.[13] When Coach Taylor visits the school after possibly taking a job at fictional Texas Methodist University, Smash leads the other players in a chant of the team's motto "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose," showing they still have respect for him.
Season 2
In his senior year, Smash is made the centerpiece of the Panthers offense under the new coach after Eric Taylor's departure to TMU. Despite the team's struggles, Smash shows little concern outside of his personal performance, which enrages the rest of the Panthers. When confronted by quarterback Matt Saracen to try a team-first approach to the game, Smash responds that this year will determine the rest of his life and that he's enjoying the attention. When Coach Taylor returns, tensions between Smash and Saracen come to a head, but after winning a close game at home, things revert to normal.
Late in the season, recruiting period begins in college football and Smash is courted by scouts from the University of Alabama and the fictional TMU, University of Miami Southern and Oklahoma Tech. He eventually gives a verbal commitment to TMU, calling it his 'dream.' This brief period of happiness is shattered when Smash gets upset and retaliates against a group of racist white teenagers who were making inappropriate remarks at his sister and Smash's white girlfriend, Noelle, in a movie theater. Coach Taylor forces him to apologize, but Smash erupts after seeing his televised apology to members of the local media. The school board decides to suspend Williams for three games (the rest of the regular season), with the Dillon High on the brink of the playoffs. Before the Panthers' first game without him, Smash gives a stirring pre-game speech in the locker room to Coach Taylor's approval. Afterwards, Smash breaks down crying.
In the season 2 finale "May The Best Man Win," it is revealed that TMU has revoked its scholarship offer to Smash, as have most Division I schools such as
Season 3
In the premiere "I Knew You When," it is revealed that the Panthers made it to the playoffs, only to lose because of a knee injury to Smash. As a result, the scholarship he previously received from Whitmore is revoked and he begins working full-time at the Alamo Freeze. With Coach Taylor's help and will to see him succeed, Smash trains hard and receives a walk-on tryout for Texas A&M University, resulting in an offer to join the team. Smash accepts and makes his final appearance in the episode "Hello, Goodbye." Buddy later mentions in "Tomorrow Blues" to a potential recruit that Smash is performing well there.
Season 4
In episode 5 of season 4, "The Son," Smash is mentioned by a TV commentator as doing well at Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor watches with pride.
Season 5
In "The March" Tim Riggins sees Smash on TV doing well in a football game as he looks on with pride while working at Buddy's. In "On the Outside Looking In" Smash is mentioned while Julie talks with her Professor.
References
- ^ Smash Williams: I remember the guy who taught me to throw a spiral. And took us fishing. And gave me my nickname after I crashed my bike into the water heater. Friday Night Lights NBC
- ^ TV reporter: ...but we have an interesting situation with Smash Williams. Now Gatling is his hometown, it's where he grew up. Friday Night Lights. "Full Hearts". 5 December 2006.
- ^ Smash Williams: Did you move us from Gatling from the ghetto, or from Dad? Friday Night Lights. "Full Hearts". 5 December 2006.
- ^ Smash Williams: Dad's accident? I remember it was late and Dad was coming home from work by himself, and a lady ran a red light and he never stood a chance. Corinna Williams: You were right, it was late at night, but he wasn't coming home from work and he wasn't alone. Friday Night Lights. "Full Hearts". 5 December 2006.
- What To Do While You're Waiting". Friday Night Lights. Season 1. Episode 12. January 10, 2007. NBC.
- ^ Corinna Williams: (waves bag in Eric Taylor's face) And I thought you were a Christian man, Coach Taylor, but you're messin' with my son's life to win football games? These kids, they're stupid. They think they're invincible, I see it every day at the clinic. But Coach Taylor, you supposed to know better. Friday Night Lights. "Little Girl I Wanna Marry You". 24 January 2007
- ^ Eric Taylor: What I'm about to say stands between you and me. You're gonna get yourself clean. You're going to submit to private voluntary drug testing until I can decide I can trust you. Friday Night Lights. "Little Girl I Wanna Marry You". 24 January 2007
- ^ TV Reporter: Do you want Mac McGill fired? Smash Williams: That would be a good start. Friday Night Lights. "Black Eyes & Broken Hearts". 14 February 2007
- ^ Corinna Williams: This Mac MacGill thing? It's over, it's done, you hear me? You quittin' football to make a point about racism in a small Texas town? That ain't the Million Man March. If you want to get back at the Mac MacGills of the world, you needs to play like the star that you are, get recruited by a big time school, and get your degree. Friday Night Lights. "Black Eyes & Broken Hearts". 14 February 2007
- ^ Police Officer: We need Smash Williams for questioning. Eric Taylor: For what? Police Officer: Witnesses say that Smash Williams threw the first punch. Friday Night Lights. "Black Eyes & Broken Hearts". 14 February 2007
- ^ Mac McGill: They made a mistake, son, just like I did. Friday Night Lights. "Black Eyes & Broken Hearts". 14 February 2007
- ^ Voodoo Tatum: Me and you together? It'll be something this state has never seen. Every college will want you. Friday Night Lights. "State". 11 April 2007
- ^ Slammin' Sammy: Saracen drops back to pass, got Riggins inside, he fires a beautiful pass to Tim Riggins, he cuts it short... OH! It's a pitch to Smash Williams on a lateral! He breaks a tackle... TOUCHDOWN! PANTHERS WIN STATE! Friday Night Lights. "State". 11 April 2007