Student Well-Being

New TV Series Offers Firsthand Look at Texas Pee Wee Football

By Bryan Toporek — January 02, 2014 1 min read
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Ever wanted a firsthand look at youth football in Texas? Starting Jan. 14, you’ll have your chance.

That night, the Esquire Network will launch a new show, “Friday Night Tykes,” which will take viewers “inside the ultra-competitive world of the Texas Youth Football Association,” per the show’s website.

Below, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:

Based on the two above videos, this show won’t be for the faint of heart.

In those two videos, you can hear coaches say the following to their 8- and 9-year-old players:


  • “You have the opportunity today to rip their freakin’ head off and let them bleed. If I cut ‘em with a knife, they’re gonna bleed red, just like you.”
  • “There should be no reason why y’all don’t make other teams cry. I could care less if they cry!”
  • “I don’t care how much pain you’re in, you don’t quit, you understand?”
  • “If that kid comes across, I want you to put it in his helmet, do you understand? I don’t care if you don’t get up.”

The 10-part “docuseries” will follow five teams—the San Antonio Outlaws, San Antonio Predators, Northeast Colts, Jr. Broncos, and Judson Jr. Rockets—as they traverse their way through the season.

“Football is a constant in many American men’s lives, from rooting for their favorite teams to watching or coaching their children who play,” said Matt Hanna, the Esquire Network’s head of original programming, in a statement. “By opening a window on this incredibly competitive world, ‘Friday Night Tykes’ also raises important questions about how we’re parenting our children.”

For those looking to satisfy their morbid curiosity about the Texas youth-football scene, the series kicks off with a two-hour season premiere at 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 14.

[UPDATE (Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m. ET): The National Football League doesn’t sound too thrilled about “Friday Night Tykes.”

“The trailer is definitely troubling to watch,” an NFL spokesman said to Joe Flint of the

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Schooled in Sports blog.