Tim Riggins - Character Biography

Character Biography

Tim has been described as a character "who has puppy-dog, lady-killing eyes under his scraggly bangs." He is the fullback/running back of the Dillon Panthers with jersey #33. He is best friend to Jason Street. Tim is depicted as a womanizer and his ex-girlfriends include Tyra Collette and Lyla Garrity, with whom he has an off and on relationship. He copes with life through casual sex and heavy drinking.

Upon graduation from high school, Tim went to fictional San Antonio State College for a short time where he played football before dropping out, realizing that it was never part of his plans. After returning to Dillon, Tim and his brother Billy operate an autobody shop, "Riggins' Rigs". Pressure mounts on Billy to provide for his pregnant wife, Mindy, and he agrees to turn his shop into a chop shop to earn more money. After Tim discovers Billy's secret operation which he initially opposes, he agrees to help out in order to make enough money to buy a plot of land he had set his eyes on. However, the police discover their scheme and arrest Tim, the only person who had been in the shop that night. In the season four finale, "Thanksgiving," Tim realizes that his brother needs to stay and provide for his family and turns himself in to the sheriff's office and takes full responsibility for the chop shop, even though it was not his doing.

Tim is seen briefly in jail at the beginning of the first episode of Season Five, and returns in the final four episodes of the series. In the episode "Don't Go", Tim's parole hearing takes place with Billy, Coach Taylor, and Buddy Garrity all speaking on Tim's behalf. Tim is released from prison, and over the next few episodes tries to figure out what he will do with his life. He is uncharacteristically harsh and bitter, showing the effect prison has had on him. He is angry at Billy, because he feels that Billy hasn't done everything he could to get his life in order. He declares that he is going to sell his property and eventually move to Alaska to work on pipe lines. He reconnects with former girlfriend Tyra Collette who comes back to town to visit family. He and Tyra briefly rekindle their relationship, and she helps soften his heart. Unsure of what his own future will be, he helps Becky come to terms with her life and is given a job by Buddy Garrity. Tim begins to reconcile with his family, finally realizing that "Texas Forever" is still his dream.

Tim's final scene in the series is that of he and Billy building Tim's home on his property. The finale also suggests that he and Tyra may end up back together later on in their lives.