Devil Town

Austin and Mitch take a field trip to a local high school football game.

When East Dillon opens in season 4, there is a giant funding gap between the new school and Dillon. How realistic is this? We look at how schools are funded in Texas, how football is funded compared to other extracurriculars, and the extravagance of 6A stadiums. Plus, an update on the NFL's race norming situation, and some non-FNL recommendations. Links:National Center for Education Statistics - information on how schools are funded by stateEctor County BudgetHouston Chronicle - Cost of Katy ISD Football StadiumBleacher Report - High School Stadium CostsTexas Monthly - Carthage JumbotronThe Texas Tribune - Athletics: Where Budget Balancers Fear to Tread

Mitch takes Austin on a deep dive into the West Texas Accent. They discuss what makes Texans sound distinct, some idioms and unique phrases, and analyze dialogue from the show. 

Austin and Mitch discuss the 2004 movie Friday Night Lights. They look at differences between the book and movie, and similarities with the show. Austin explains some technical football stuff, Mitch challenges him to identify movie half-time speeches, and explain why this is the best football movie.email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comfollow us on Twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats

It's Devil Town's first birthday! Mitch and Austin revisit old topics. There are updates on murderball, UCO Cheer, realignment, and we play a game based on a very dated meme. Links:Football, Etc. Origami AngelKenny HooplaSeñor Bikini & AknesAstrophysics - Never Meant

Austin explains the current college football situation with OU, Texas, the Big 12, and the SEC. Even after recording and editing, I (Mitch) don't understand it well enough to summarize. Austin also explains the changes to the NCAA's power over players' name, image, and likeness. email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comfollow up on Twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats

It's the last day of Pride Month! We're talking about LGBTQ+ representation in Friday Night Lights and TV in general. Plus, Carl Nassib and what it means for a professional athlete to come out of the closet. Links:Queer Eyes, Full Hearts, from the blog DietCoke4BreakfastDave Kopay's Long Wait by David KampOutSports article on the 16 out retired NFL playersOutSports article on Carl Nassib and interview with Dave KopayEmail us at DevilTownPodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Mitch and Austin discuss Becky's abortion storyline in season four. Mitch gives some context for Tami's part of the story, looking at the rules and expectations for a school counselor in Texas. Then they look at some recent developments in the fight against abortion access in Texas, Oklahoma, and nationwide. There are many people and organizations doing the vital and difficult work of maintaining abortion access. Please consider donating to one of these organizations, or find and support the clinics and fund networks in your community. Tulsa Women's ClinicTrust Women Oklahoma CityJane's Due ProcessThe Afiya CenterAvow TexasTexas Equal Access FundSources:American School Counselor Association article on district policies and student pregnancies Melissa Prober, Please Don't Tell My Parents: The Validity of School Policies Mandating Parental Notification of a Student's Pregnancy, 71Brook. L. Rev. (2005).Nora Ellman, State Actions Undermining Abortion Rights in 2020, Center for American ProgressFact sheets about abortion in Texas and Oklahoma from Guttmacher InstituteShannon Najmabadi, Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law one of nation's strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, The Texas TribuneTexas Abortion Access Network - 4 People Fighting to Save Abortion Access in Texas Explain What's at StakeInterview with Amanda Bennet from Jane's Due Process, from Harvard Civil Rights Civil Liberties Law Review

Austin explains the NFL's policy of race norming when deciding payouts for players affected by CTE. He explains the history of the Heaton norms used by the NFL, the court case that regulates payouts, and what that means for players and their families.  AP New articleFollow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com

Austin and Mitch reveal their Top Ten Performances by Friday Night Lights Actors in Non-Friday Night Lights Properties. They also play a round of Two Truths and a Lie: IMDb EditionEmail us at DevilTownPodcast@gmail.comFind us on twitter @deviltownpod, @organzapleats, and @a_greenameyer

Austin explains the offensive and defensive schemes we see in Friday Night Lights. We discuss the playing styles of each of the quarterbacks, evaluate Eric Taylor as a coach, and learn a little football history. Links: An X's and O's Breakdown of Friday Night Lights by Steven Ruiz

Does Jason Street have a negligence case against Eric Taylor? In season one, the Streets sue Coach and get a settlement. In reality, the state of Texas treats lawsuits like these very differently. We look at similar cases, the history of sovereign immunity, how laws vary by state, and a coach's burden of care. Links:Overview of the Oklahoma Tort Claims ActTexas Public School Qualified Immunity from Houston PressIn School Sports, Hundreds of Concussions but Few Athletic Trainers to Prevent Them, in Oklahoma Watch2019 Sports Law Year-In-Review from NFHS - information on defamation suits, and contractors vs. employeesAn Analysis of Court Cases since 1995 wherein High School and College Coaches in the United States Were Sued for Negligence as a Result of a Players' Injury in Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management Legal Liability in Covering Athletic Events in Sports Health - an overview of the history of sovereign immunity, and details on many of the cases mentioned in this episodeLegal Aspects of Concussion: The Ever-Evolving Standard of Care in Journal of Athletic TrainingKahn v. East Side Union High School DistrictFortier v. Los Rios Community College DistYanero v. Davis

Austin walks us through the saga of of a football scandal from Valdosta, Georgia. It involves boosters wearing wires, grown men with nicknames, major college programs, and secret families. Links: Lawsuits, secret taping and the unraveling of a powerhouse high school football program, Mark Schlabach at ESPN.com

These episodes are the closest to news Devil Town will ever get. In part one, we highlight three local (to us) stories relevant to topics we've discussed on the podcast: the suspension of the UCO Cheer team, the racism from fans and ensuing fight at the John Marshall vs. Newcastle boys' basketball game, and the racist commentator for the Norman vs. Midwest City girls' basketball game. All three stories have details you might not have heard about if you only read the headlines. And the conversation does occasionally circle back to Friday Night Lights. Links:John Marshall vs. Newcastle - The Root, The OklahomanRacist language from the commentator of Norman vs. Midwest City - Frankie Park's video on twitter, The Black Wall St. Times, statement from OSSAAUCO Cheer - UCO's copy of the incident report, UCO Media article on the aftermath, UCO Media's video coverage on twitter

We're finally talking about music. When we first started talking about this podcast, music was the first idea we had, but it's such a daunting topic. There's so much to talk about and we don't get to everything, but we do discuss:Music Supervisor Liza Richardson and the process of making a show like Friday Night LightsExplosions in the SkyCrucifictoriousWhat is on Matt and Julie's burned CDs?What we'd choose if the show was remade in 2021Other shows with great music supervisionLINKS:AVClub interview with Explosions in the SkyHow Explosions in the Sky Became the Sound of Film and Telivision from Texas MonthlyAIMP interview with Liza RichardsonPitchfork interview with Liza Richardson about the process of supervisingTexas Monthly interview with Liza RichardsonAustin Chronicle writeup of Cowboy and IndianCrucifictorious performing She Don't Use JellyGQ article on the music of the showFuel Friends blog post about the original music used on the show

In this episode, we discuss the working lives of the Dillon teens. For a show about football, we spend a lot of time with these characters at their various jobs. We talk about our own experiences, look at some recent data, and speculate about some of the things the show doesn't tell us. Plus, a very special, first ever installment of Football Expert Mitch Explains Things to Football Idiot AustinLinks: Child Labor Regulations in TexasBureau of Labor Statistics Youth Employment SummaryBureau of Labor Statistics - Teen labor force participation before and after the Great Recession and beyondUniversity Interscholastic League - Football district and official informationUIL Official Scratch FormTASO Conflict of Interest PoliciesTASO Position concerning the national anthem

Austin and Mitch discuss the Superbowl. (Are we allowed to put Suberbowl in the episode title? Would the NFL send us a cease and desist?) Statistically, how likely is it for a high school football player to make it to the Superbowl? What were today's NFL stars like as high school players? What is Eric Taylor doing in season three, episode ten when he appeals the refs for an upcoming game? What is the best Portuguese movie allegorizing the life of St. Anthony? Old Gods of AppalachiaThe Ornithologist

Austin and Mitch discuss the season three episode It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy in the context of hazing.

Austin and Mitch discuss the Season 1 arc where Smash tries steroids. They look at the science behind how they work, some of the risks involved, and their prevalence among high school athletes. Plus an in depth analysis of the Season 3 JD/Matt QB fiasco.Sources: ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC STEROIDS: Mechanism of Action and Effects on PerformanceFDA Advisement on Teen Steroid UseAnabolic Androgenic Steroid Use and Abuse in Pediatric PatientsNational Institute of Health

Austin and Mitch discuss the Disney+ movie Safety. It's the true story of Ray McElrathbey, a student athlete at Clemson who took care of his younger brother while playing football. We discuss the odd style of the filmmaking, and compare the movie to the real life story. Links: TrailerSafety actors vs. their real life counterpartsEsquire interview with Ray McElrathbey

Austin and Mitch discuss the HBO documentary series The Cost of Winning. In four parts over two hours, it shows an unusual football season at St. Francis Academy in Baltimore. This tiny private school in one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country has become one of the best high school football programs in the country, and it's players have remarkably high rates of college acceptance and scholarships. The coach, Biff Poggi, is independently wealthy, and he has invested a lot of money and time into the program. The stories of these players are evidence that it has paid off. It's an interesting look at a high school football program, focusing on different elements of the game than most documentaries. We discuss the societal factors at play, and do a little bit of digging beyond the scope of the show. Links:TrailerESPN article about St. Francis's teamEsquire interview with Poggi a year after the filming

In this episode, Mitch and Austin take a close look at Varsity Brands, the company that has a stranglehold monopoly over competitive cheerleading. SOURCES:Washington Post article on the American Academy of Pediatrics' findings on catastrophic injuriesHouston Press article on VarsityMatt Stoller's article on monopolies Matt Stoller updateSlate article on businesses operating outside of VarsityThe Cheer Buzz overview on VaristyFusion Elite All Stars, et al. v. Varsity Brands, LLC, et al. Take Back Cheer

This week we discuss cheerleading, in Friday Night Lights, pop culture, and in real high schools. We talk about why it isn't always considered a sport, and why it should be. (Next week's episode will be a deep dive into Varsity, the company behind that decision)Plus, the first installment of a new segment! We do a very manic, very stupid Pop Culture Cheer Squad Fantasy Draft.

Austin and Mitch discuss all the way our current situation is affecting the process of college recruiting. They discuss Smash trying to work his way onto a team in season three, other times in history that changed the way football was played, and how teams and players are handling COVID. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFind transcripts and show notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.comSources:When Football Went to War

Austin and Mitch discuss the season three arcs of Smash and Saracen's Grandma, which means deep dives into dementia and ACL injuries. Plus a very stupid edition of Football Expert Austin. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFind transcripts, sources, and links at deviltown.buzzsprout.comLinks: A Multisport Epidemiological Comparison of ACL Injuries in High School AthletesA History of the Wig Reveal on RuPaul's Drag RaceAlex Trebek laughing at nerds

In this episode, Mitch and Austin go deep on the legal ramifications of prayer in the locker room. Plus discussions about Brockmire and Jon Bois's 20020. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFind transcripts and notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.comSOURCES:Jane Doe v. Duncanville Independent School District - Fifth Circuit Court of AppealsSanta Fe Independent School District v. DoeBorden v. School District of Township of East BrunswickBrockmire20020 by Jon Bois

Austin and Mitch talk about religion in Dillon. They try to figure out the denominations of the show's churches, discuss Lyla and Tim's radio shows, and play Two Truths and a Lie: Texas Headlines.Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFind transcripts and notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.com

Austin and Mitch talk all things politics the night before the 2020 election.

We're back from an unplanned hiatus, talking about the town of Dillon, Texas. There's a lot to love, and almost as much to hate, about small town suburbia.Links:The Architecture of Dillon, Texas by Brantley HightowerPecos Hank's stormchaser Youtube channelStephen Cone's movies on the Criterion ChannelEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFollow us @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats

Austin and Mitch discuss the 2005 documentary Murderball, the sport of Quad Rugby, and the Paralympics. Mitch asks Austin to explain some very basic but confusing football nonsense. Find notes and links at deviltown.buzzsprout.comFollow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com

In a continuation of last week's conversation, Austin and Mitch talk about recent sports protests. They discuss which college coaches are doing it right, and which ones aren't, and look at some student athletes making changes in college sports. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsFind transcripts, show notes, and links at deviltown.buzzsprout.comEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com

Austin and Mitch discuss the season one episode Black Eyes and Broken Hearts. They look at different ways athletes have protested, from the sixth century to the sixties. Plus another exciting installment of Austin Explains Basic Football Stuff to Mitch.Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsFind transcripts and show notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.comEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comSources: Athletes and Activism: The long, defiant history of sports protests by Steve WulfHow Katherine Switzer helped change the culture in women's sports by Greg GarberThe Reign of Lew Alcindor in the Age of Revolt, by Johnny SmithThe Syracuse 8 by Courtney Carr

In this episode, Austin and Mitch discuss the season one episode Blinders, in which Coach Mac uses racist language in an interview. They discuss the history of racial stereotypes in football, the racist structure of college and professional football, and how conscious and unconscious bias affects young athletes.Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsEmail us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.comFind episode transcripts, sources, and notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.comSources: Nelson, Michael Landon, "Racism in Sports in Southeast Georgia High Schools." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 543.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/543Van Otterloo, Jennifer (2013) ""Keep the Quarterback White"!: Rush Limbaugh's Social Construction of the Black Quarterback," Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado: Vol. 2 : No. 3 , Article 1.https://digscholarship.unco.edu/urj/vol2/iss3/1Niven, D. (2005). Race, Quarterbacks, and the Media: Testing the Rush Limbaugh Hypothesis. Journal of Black Studies, 35(5), 684–694. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934704266083Eugenio Mercurio & Vincent F. Filak (2010) Roughing the Passer: The Framing of Black and White Quarterbacks Prior to the NFL Draft, Howard Journal of Communications, 21:1, 56-71, https://doi.org/10.1080/10646170903501328Rasmussen, R., Esgate, A., & Turner, D. (2005). On Your Marks, Get Stereotyped, Go!: Novice Coaches and Black Stereotypes in Sprinting. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 29(4), 426–436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723504273122Billings, Andrew. (2001). Biased Voices of Sports: Racial and Gender Stereotyping in College Basketball Announcing. Howard Journal of Communication. 12. 183-201. 10.1080/106461701753287714.

In this episode, Austin and Mitch discuss partying. Austin shares some data about teens and alcohol. They look at Tyra and Billy's alternate homecoming, and share their own homecoming stories. And Austin teaches Mitch some very basic facts about what a running back does. Follow us on Twitter at @deviltownpodcast, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsFind a transcript of this episode and links at https://deviltown.buzzsprout.com

In the first episode of Devil Town, Austin and Mitch explain how they relate to the show Friday Night Lights. They talk about their own devil towns, their histories with football, and try to figure out who their in-show matches are (Austin is Saracen, Mitch is Landry).They take a close look at spinal cord injuries, the accuracy of Jason Street's story, and the safety of football. If you're interested in the real people and organizations working in this area, here are some resources:The Travis Roy Foundation - https://www.travisroyfoundation.org/Unite to Fight Paralysis - https://u2fp.org/Gridiron Heroes - https://www.gridironheroes.org/The Sterling Thomas Push Push Pray Foundation - https://www.pushpushpray.org/Childhood Injury Prevention Services - https://chipsscorg.wixsite.com/chipsFollow us on Twitter at @deviltownpodcast, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleatsFind a transcript of this episode and links at https://deviltown.buzzsprout.com