Friday Night Lights

by

Buzz Bissinger

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Don Billingsley Character Analysis

A running back for Permian, and a “rabble-rouser” who drinks and fights on the weekends, Don Billingsley is known as one of the most attractive boys at Permian High, and his attentions are sought after by many of the Pepettes, the Mojo cheer squad. Billingsley has trouble holding onto the football early in the season, and is largely, although not entirely, replaced by Chris Comer at running back—a star for Permian.
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Don Billingsley Character Timeline in Friday Night Lights

The timeline below shows where the character Don Billingsley appears in Friday Night Lights. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4: Dreaming of Heroes
Football Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
...first game, against El Paso Austin. Bissinger moves from Winchell to a running back named Don Billingsley, whose father Charlie sits in the stands, watching his son play. (full context)
Football Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
Charlie Billingsley was a notable running back for Permian in the 1960s, where he was also a... (full context)
Football Theme Icon
Race and Racial Divisions Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
...he is perhaps living through his son, “and that’s pretty special.” But on the field, Don has trouble “holding onto the football”; he fumbles several times in the game, and though... (full context)
Chapter 7: School Days
Football Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
...seem to have recovered their spirits after the loss the previous week. Bissinger then follows Don Billingsley through a day of school, in which Don goes to food science class, watches... (full context)
Chapter 14: Friday Night Addiction
Football Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
...the quarterfinals, as one of the final eight teams—the true state playoff. After the victory Don Billingsley vows that he will “get inebriated” and “flaunt rules”—a nod to the letter that... (full context)
Epilogue
Football Theme Icon
Race and Racial Divisions Theme Icon
Wealth, Poverty, and the Boom-Bust Cycle Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Winning, Losing, and a Purpose in Life Theme Icon
...continues his studies. McDougal works for his father in the West Texas oil business, and Don Billingsley, after formally separating himself from his alcoholic father, plays a little college football and... (full context)