All American called its final play as the hit CW show concluded with its series finale on September 28. It was a heartwarming farewell; audiences were reunited with beloved Spencer James, played by Daniel Ezra — who directed the series finale — one last time as he became the man he always aspired to be and the father he wished he had growing up. He’s going off into the sunset as the person his own healthy newborn twins need.
The series ended with a full-circle moment for the titular character, whom audiences have grown alongside over the years. But that won’t make saying goodbye after eight seasons and 132 episodes any easier.
Helmed by showrunner and executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll, All American debuted in October 2018. Inspired by the real-life story of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, the sports drama followed James, a rising high school football player from Crenshaw who is recruited to play for a team in Beverly Hills.
When the show first premiered, I wasn’t entirely convinced it would have much substance beyond being about America’s favorite sport. And I wasn’t alone in my initial skepticism, as the series struggled to find its footing in its early days. That changed when Season 2 landed on Netflix in 2020. That proved to be the ultimate game changer, shifting the series’ trajectory and introducing All American to an entirely new audience.
Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced me to a plethora of new shows, All American being one of them. I’ve always enjoyed young adult shows as much as the next person, so once I could look past football as the show’s initial hook, I decided to give it a real chance. After watching the first episode, the only thing I remember thinking was, “I wish I had started this sooner.”
Apparently, I wasn’t alone in thinking that. At that time, All American went from struggling in broadcast ratings to occupying the No. 1 spot on Netflix. The show skyrocketed in popularity and into the hearts of millions of households thanks to its dynamic storytelling and ability to expand far beyond the football field. What initially appeared to be a sports drama morphed into heartfelt — and sometimes heartbreaking — stories that confronted everything from socioeconomic divides, youth mental health, colorism and class division within the Black community to substance abuse, sexuality, exploitation in youth sports and so much more.
The show was more than entertainment; it challenged viewers to examine and interrogate complex subjects affecting Black communities. And while the show was grounded in the experiences of Black youth, its eight seasons also explored universal themes that ultimately resonated with audiences far beyond its central characters.
Unlike typical teen dramas that rely on superficial storylines, James was written with enough complexity to let him embrace a deep level of vulnerability that Black men, especially young ones, aren’t always afforded. He was allowed to express grief and anger, prioritize therapy, deconstruct his savior complex, and most importantly, confront the burden of constantly feeling responsible for his family and community.
Above all, the show helped redefine the “All American” archetype that has historically and overwhelmingly been associated with white athletes. By centering a Black teenager from an underserved neighborhood as its “All American,” the series challenged the narrow view of who gets to hold that title while expanding what an “All American” can look like and who can be one.
I’m not alone in my lament of All American‘s heartfelt end. “Mondays at 8 p.m. will not be the same for me anymore that #allamerican is done. This show was more than just football,” one user wrote on X. “It was family, community, and relationships. This has truly been my favorite show to watch over the years. A beautiful ending for everyone.”
Mondays at 8:00 will not be the same for me anymore that #allamerican is done . This show was more just football it was family , community and relationships. This has truly been my favorite show to watch over the years . A beautiful ending for everyone #allamericancw 🥺❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/Toir13qftn
— TheLawrenceReport YT (@LawrenceGerald1) September 29, 2026
Another viewer reflected on the series’ historic run, writing, “Eight seasons of watching these characters grow, lose people, fall in love, make mistakes, chase dreams, and somehow keep finding their way back to each other, and now it’s over. That’s the part that hurts. You don’t realize how attached you get to a show until the moment comes where there’s no ‘next episode’ waiting for you. Tonight wasn’t just an episode. It was a goodbye. And honestly, after everything All American has given us, I’m glad they gave us one last moment to feel it.”
Tonight’s #AllAmerican finale really felt like saying goodbye to a part of my life. It wasn’t just about Spencer, Jordan, Olivia, or any one storyline it was about seeing how far everybody had come and realizing that this was actually the end. The show has always been about more…
— 🦁👑 YawOGStillDay1 👑🦁 (@YawBeenHim) September 29, 2026
While this may be the last time audiences get to experience the incomparable series, its legacy will live on long beyond the emotional finale.
With All American being the CW’s final remaining YA series, what comes next should be more coming-of-age shows that center the experiences of Black youth. The popularity of recent YA hits such as Off Campus, Sterling Point and Crew Girl makes it clear there is demand for the genre. But diversity in the stories remains missing. The picture isn’t complete without authentic and varied representation.
The success of All American and other Black-centered YA series like Forever, The Chi and the A Different World sequel shows the value of investing in Black storytelling. Their global reach also underscores the appetite for stories that reflect experiences largely underrepresented on screen.
All American stepped in to help fill that void. Now it’s time to pass the baton to the next generation of Black coming-of-age stories ready to take its place.