<Tr> <Th> Family </Th> <Td> Lorraine Saracen (Grandmother) Henry Saracen (Father, deceased) Shelby Garrett (Mother) Eric Taylor (Father - in - Law) Tami Taylor (Mother - in - Law) Gracie Taylor (Sister - in - Law) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Significant other (s) </Th> <Td> Julie Taylor (Girlfriend, Ex-Girlfriend, Fiancée, Wife (ambiguous)) Carlotta (fling) </Td> </Tr> <P> Matthew "Matt" Saracen is a fictional character in the NBC / DirecTV (The 101 Network) television drama series Friday Night Lights portrayed by the actor, Zach Gilford . He is the former back - up quarterback of the Dillon High School Panthers before being thrust into the starting spotlight after Jason Street suffers a career - ending injury . His character is based on Mike Winchell from the source novel and the 2004 film Friday Night Lights . </P> <P> Matt is the son of Henry Saracen and Shelby Garrett . He lives alone with his grandmother, Lorraine Saracen . Matt takes care of Lorraine due to her old age and battle with dementia . At one time, Matt's relationship with both of his parents was strained . His father, Henry, was in the U.S. Army and his mother, Shelby, left Matt when he was a child after divorcing Henry . The full extent of their relationship is unknown, but it is implied that Henry may have been an abusive husband . </P>

Friday night lights what happened to matt saracen