Boy with prosthetic leg finds success on football field

MT. JULIET, Tenn. -- An 11-year-old boy is not letting a handicap hold him back from chasing his dreams on his school's football team.

Andrew Kittrell is a fifth grader at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy and plays linebacker.

Despite being born without a left leg and missing fingers on both hands, Kittrell is becoming an inspiration to others on and off the field.

"I want to show people that I can actually do this even though I don't have a leg or fingers," Andrew said, adding, "Some people think I can't do it, but I can."

Andrew said he doesn't let his handicaps or his use of a prosthetic leg get in the way for his love of the game or in his success on the field.

"I just love to hit people," he said, adding, "Somebody will probably say, 'Oh, you can't hit this person,' and I go out there, and I'll knock them down, and I'll just start laughing."

Andrew's father, Michael Kittrell, who is also his son's football coach told Nashville's News 2 there has never been any doubt in Andrew's mind that he would not succeed.

Michael recalls his young son, as a baby, crawling with casts on his hand and foot.

"He crawled across the floor with both those casts on, and I saw the drive and the determination. When he wanted something, he was going to get it," he said.

The father and coach said he has never treated his son like he has a handicap.

"I catch myself probably expecting too much or more of him than I do others, and I think a lot of dads that coach do that at times," Michael said.

Andrew added, "He tells me that I'm no different, just because I have a prosthetic leg, I can do most of the stuff that everybody else can."

The fifth grader said he likes to intimidate other players on the field by growling.

"I like to do that to just scare them, just to get them a little scared, so when I do, I go hit them [and] they get out of the way," he said.

In addition to playing football, Andrew also plays baseball and basketball.

He said hopes to one play for Vanderbilt University and maybe one day for the Tennessee Titans.

He said he never plans to give up-- advice he offers to others.

"Don't ever give up just because you think you have a disability. Don't ever give up," Andrew said.

In just three games this season, Andrew has had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Andrew Kittrell
• Mt. Juliet Christian Academy
• Nashville Tennessee
• Tennessee
• MT. JULIET Tennessee
• Football
• Amputee
• Prosthetic
• Prosthetic Leg sports

[justinloverrr1994]

Andrew keep it up im a 11 yrs old to your amazing u rock the team and never give up you should always keep going and try super duper really hard!!

[protrudingears]

amazing boy!