Freddie James, Legendary Football Coach Portrayed in ‘Friday Night Lights,’ Dies at 89

Freddie James, a legendary Dallas Carter High School football coach, has died at the age of 89. Playing a pivotal role in shaping the career of the team that won the 1988 Texas Class 5A state championship, James was portrayed by Julius Tennon in the 2004 film "Friday Night Lights" and later by Charles S. Dutton in the 2015 drama "Carter High."

His 139-27-5 record over 14 seasons at Carter, coupled with eight players reaching the NFL, cemented his legacy as an icon in the sport. James was honored posthumously by the Dallas ISD trustees who approved a waiver to name the athletic complex in his honor.

Brief written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.