The “Friday Night Lights” showrunner attempted to write at a controversial storyline for Eric and Tami Taylor that could have redefined how fans remember their relationship between the iconic TV couple. Head writer and executive producer Jason Katims said in an interview that aired on TODAY J une 4 that the creative team tried to write an affair plot between coach Taylor and his wife, Tami. But actors Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton refused to portray it. “We agreed right at the outset, we’re like, ‘No matter what, we can’t let them make either one of us have an affair,’” Britton said. “We tried,” Katims chimed in, shaking his head. “They really tried,” Britton added. “We pushed right back on it. We wanted (the Taylor marriage) to be about partnership and just collaboration, and making mistakes, but always going back to each other.” NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz spoke with the cast and showrunner in Austin, Texas — where the show was filmed — while the group was in town for a 20th anniversary celebration of the show at the ATX TV Festival on May 29. The reunion was also part of NBC100, celebrating the broadcast network’s 100th anniversary. The chemistry that made Chandler and Britton’s characters such a beloved television couple was on display during the interview. “It’s kinda miserable right now, sitting next to her,” Chandler joked, referring to Britton. Chandler and Britton were joined by Aimee Teegarden, Scott Porter, Adrianne Palicki, Gaius Charles, Louanne Stephens and Jesse Plemons for a panel at the festival and Schwartz’s interview. Speaking with NBC News, Chandler expounded on the classic phrase his character used to exhort his football players at the fictional Dillon High School in Texas: “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” Coach Taylor was tough, but he always encouraged his players to be the best versions of themselves. His signature line often concluded his motivational locker room speeches before the Panthers took the field. Reflecting on the phrase, Chandler told Schwartz that he interprets the message to be about having upstanding character. “It means be smart. Keep your eyes open. Keep your heart open, and you can’t lose,” he explained, adding that the phrase is also about honesty and integrity. “He didn’t write his own lines, you see,” Britton jokingly chimed in. “I thought that was (a) pretty good answer,” he replied. Speaking about their time on set, Britton highlighted the feelings of pride and “ownership” cast members felt toward their characters. “We all were given such a sense of ownership of the show,” she said. “We all felt a sense like, ‘This character is ours, and it is a privilege for us to be able to create it.’ But we didn’t just feel that way. Everybody felt like they were part of something that they believed in.” She previously said she and Chandler were able to make the “no cheating” request a rule for their characters. “We were like, ‘We’re never letting the writers have us have an affair. If they try to do it, we’re not going to do it,’” she told Entertainment Weekly in 2017. Entertainment News Celebrity News 3 hours ago Chris Hemsworth and his family tried to board an international flight. Staff intervened reality tv 3 hours ago Hannah Berner shares what she told Ciara Miller amid ‘Summer House' drama Chandler also complimented the cast’s teamwork in the interview with Schwartz. “From the very bottom of the call list to the very top of the call list, it was one organism that worked together,” he recalled. “It was a magical. As they say, lightning in a bottle.” To capture that magic one more time, Schwartz asked Chandler if he could lead the group in a chant. “Coach, if you don’t mind, can you cue us up with just the first two?” he asked. Chandler shifted into coach Taylor mode and cheered, “Clear eyes, full hearts …” “Can’t lose!” everyone answered in unison. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Elmo just wanted the Knicks and Spurs to have fun during the NBA Finals — then chaos ensued Chris Hemsworth and his family tried to board an international flight. Staff intervened Karen Read speaks out in first interview since filing new lawsuit, calling John O’Keefe ‘the reason we’re doing this’ This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less