INSPIRATION BEHIND “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS” DIES
February 28th, 2008 by Cruzin |
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David Edwards loses battle
by Niki Cruz
The football player who was behind the inspiration for “Friday Night Lights” died on Wednesday (February 27th) , three days before his twenty first birthday.
The then Texas High School student, David Edwards was paralyzed while playing football in 2003 and later on became a motivational speaker for players and children.
The paralyzation happened during a game when the fourth vertebra of Edwards’ neck snapped as he collided into the receiver, Coy Aune for opposing team (Westlake High School).
David Edwards was admitted into Northeast Methodist Hospital because of complications of pneumonia. On Monday the ex-footballer stopped breathing and on Tuesday he slipped into a coma.
Marci Aune, mother of the receiver and friend of Edwards’ mother Faye Stanton released this statement.
“I know heaven just got better. And I truly believe that God was giving him wings yesterday so that he could fly straight to heaven where once again he will walk and run and who knows, maybe play football. He was a very special boy and I feel privileged to have been a part of his life. I told (Edwards’ mother) Faye yesterday that David’s gift to us is each other. Our families are very close and will continue to be so.”
Director of Friday Night Lights had attended that 2003 playoff came and was struck with inspiration to base that terrible accident off of the NBC pilot. Jason Street, the character who is modeled after Edwards is played by Scott Porter.
