The former star quarterback of the Dillon Panthers, Jason Street found his life shattered after he was paralyzed from the waist down during the first game of his senior year.

Jason threw an interception and made a poor tackle on the defender running it back, rupturing his spinal cord. He was resigned to months of rehab and an uncertain future with girlfriend Lyla Garrity - as well as with life in general.

While in rehab, Jason met a new friend, Herc, who is also confined to a wheelchair. Herc teaches Jason about his "new" body and introduced to a game called "Murder Ball." Jason is immediately attracted to the intense "football-like" game - and appreciative of the fact that Herc is brutally honest and doesn't sugar-coat anything when it comes to their condition.

Later in the year, Street is invited by Herc to attend the quadriplegic rugby tryouts for the U.S. national team. Despite his superior performance, the quad rugby team tells Jason to return in four years, when he's really comfortable in his chair.

In mid-season, Jason learns of Lyla and Tim engaging in an affair. He and Tim had a strained relationship from then on, though they seemed to have resolved their differences by the end of the year. After his learning of the affair, a hurt Jason and depressed Lyla slowly grew close again, even getting engaged at one point.

However, that ultimately broke down, as he realized his burden couldn't be hers and their lives were moving in different directions. A girl he meets during the quad rugby tryouts - who truly accepts the new Jason - further helps him make this decision to move on, despite his love for Lyla.

Returning to the field, Jason Street helped lead the Dillon Panthers to the state championship as an assistant coach, mentoring his teammates - his successor at quarterback, Matt Saracen, especially - and showcasing more heart than anyone ever thought possible.