What compelled author H.G. Bissinger to want to write about high school football?

While the book was originally intended to be a testament to the resilience of a small town and their high school football team, Bissinger ultimately became more critical of the town of Odessa. Consequently, Friday Night Lights has garnered controversy in Odessa and many other small West Texas communities mentioned in the narrative. Some people in these towns objected to, what they considered to be, perpetuating negative stereotypes of small town Texas.