Jess Merriweather and Feminine Tomboyism

Judith Halberstam writes that the tomboy figure reflects a female desire to have the same access and freedoms as boys and men. As children, young girls can run and play with the boys with little pressure to give up their boyish, masculine ways. The tomboy has often been portrayed in media representation as a motherless figure who doesn't know any better than to want to be a boy because she has not been taught how to be a girl. Tomboys can dream of being whatever they want, but with the arrival of puberty "the tomboy instincts of millions of girls are remodeled into compliant forms of femininity" (Halberstam, p. 156). For the tomboy, this has meant conforming to the dreams and aspirations of women: marrying the perfect man and becoming a mother. To allow for the continuation of a female's tomboyish ways, the feminine tomboy has become a figure of compromise and acceptance. The feminine tomboy counteracts culture's active denial of masculinity "to people with female bodies," but she can perform masculinity only if she also emphasizes her femininity (Halberstam, p. 269).

Season 4 introduces Friday Night Lights viewers to Jess Merriweather -- a teenager who's mother passed away as a girl, who takes care of her younger brothers, and who gained a love of football from her father (a former star quarterback). She is bright, independent, and strong willed. For Jess Merriweather, the expectations of being a young woman in Texas collides with her love of football and encourages her to become the compromising figure of the feminine tomboy.

The show highlights Jess' femininity in many ways. She takes on the role of mother to her younger brothers, thus symbolizing her ability to fulfill a traditional female role. She wears her hair down, wears form fitting clothing, and dates the star quarterback. These representations signify for the viewer her femininity and, most importantly, her heterosexuality. In portraying Jess in this way, her masculine interests of being a football coach are tamed. She may have aspirations, but they do not override or eliminate her compulsion to follow traditional gender norms in regards to motherhood or sexuality.

Even with these limitations, the Jess character is liberating and progressive in its portrayal of a young woman who wants to break down barriers and become a part of a long-protected male-only sphere. In season 5, Jess becomes a more prominent part of the show as she becomes equipment manager and gains the opportunity of shadowing Coach Taylor. During the episode entitled, "On the Outside Looking In," the contrarian life that Jess leads is highlighted by her refusal to be Vince's "rally girl," which in the series are females who lavish players with gifts, accolades, and personal favors. These girls also function as sexual temptresses for the players and are framed within the show as the benefits of being a big time football player. In contrast, Jess helps Vince study plays and decision making while his rally girl, Marah, leaves panties in Vince's locker. Jess later confronts Marah in the girls bathroom and asks if she has any self-respect. The two fight, but their duel is not finished. At a party later in the episode, Jess succombs to jealousy and challenges Marah to a beer bong contest. Jess gets sick and tells Vince, "I know I am pitiful. I am girl and I love football." Jess admits that she is different and that her dreams are non-traditional, but she can't help what she loves even if it does seem so unattainable to her. The interaction also functions as a critique of the rally girl and masculine culture of the game. The confrontation with Marah, though, puts into motion her becoming the equipment manager for the football team.

While Coach Taylor initially resists Tami's support for Jess to become a part of the team, Coach Taylor gives in and invites her to be a part of the team. In being a part of the team, Jess dishes out similar locker room talk to the players as much as she receives it from them. Initially, the arrangement becomes problematic for her relationship with Vince, who sees it as his "obligation" to defend her in the locker room from his teammates. Over time, though, Vince realizes the importance of the team and the position to Jess and becomes supportive, including a shot of him smiling broadly after Jess gains a spot in the coaches meeting. In the episode entitled, "The March," Jess' dream of being a football coach is a key storyline. During a practice, Jess notifies Coach Taylor of the first female high school football coach and her desire to learn under his tutelage. In response, Taylor calls Jess "a pest." But his equality sensibilities shine through later in the episode. After Jess has done some advance scouting of a potential opponent, Coach Crowley tells Jess: "You'll never be a football coach." Jess responds to Crowley, "Why because I am a girl or something?" Crowley's response: "That isn't what I said." Crowley's response is overheard by Coach Taylor and he watches as Jess walks away dejected. The insanity of the proposal is furthered by assistants, but Taylor's response shows that he might not be so resistant to a female football coach. Later in the episode, Coach Taylor discusses the odds with Jess and after she indicates her dedication, he agrees to allow her to shadow him.

As we learn in the series finale ("Always"), the realization of Jess' dream is shortlived as she learns that her father is moving the family to Dallas and won't get the opportunity to stay on and learn from Coach Taylor (who ends up leaving Dillon as well). After telling Coach Taylor about her impending departure, Eric responds, "You'll be missed. I mean that sincerely; you'll be missed." The lasting interaction with Coach Taylor is fitting and reflects the importance of being a part of the team is to Jess. With tears welling in her eyes, Jess responds, "I can't tell you how much this season has meant to me. Being a part of the Lions has been the greatest experience of my life.” Eric responds, "I think it's been mine too.” As Jess is walking out the door, Coach Taylor tells her, “I happen to know the coach down there at Dallas Walker if you have any interest in me giving him a call and putting in a word for you.” Jess responds, “Thanks, Coach.” And, with that exchange, Jess' dream of being a football coach continues with her shadowing a new coach in Dallas.

With large obstacles and public opinion against her, Jess found a path in football. The show may frame her as attractive, sexually available, and a motherly figure, all of which to varying degree tame her masculine performances. In adhering to femininity, Jess becomes less threatening with these enactments. She is portrayed as not overthrowing or revolutionizing the game of football or culture's norms of gender and sexuality. Jess, though, is portrayed as an individual with the talent, desire, and intelligence to be accepted within a male-only sphere. With these abilities, it becomes harder to actively deny her participation. While there are limitations with this individualistic framing, Jess is accepted for her love of the game and her aspirations to be a part of it. By being a feminine tomboy, Jess challenges the male-only aspect of the sport and gains access to her dream of coaching. This access is progressive in changing perceptions of what females can and cannot do, even if it doesn't totally revolutionize norms regarding gender and sexuality.