‘This dude is amazing’ — Mt. Juliet Christian junior stars in football, runs track despite missing a leg

Andrew Kittrell is an undersized linebacker who plays with deep-rooted determination.

It has come with the territory after living without his left leg and with a right club foot.

“Since I was born without my foot, I don’t’ know anything different,” said Kittrell, a two-sport athlete at Mt. Juliet Christian and recipient of this year’s Kaia Jergenson Courage Award. “Knowing anything else, I just don’t. Knowing this, that’s me.”

Kittrell will be honored as the courage award recipient on June 3 at the third annual Tennessean Sports Awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans.

The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Music City Center. Tickets for the awards show can be purchased at sportsawards.tennessean.com.

Kittrell was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, resulting in the loss of his left leg below the knee and a right club foot. It also affected fingers on both hands and resulted in seven surgeries before the age of 12.

That hasn’t kept him from chasing his dreams in the athletic arena.

He’s a three-year starter at linebacker at Mt. Juliet Christian and runs track for the Saints, competing in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump. He also played basketball his freshman and sophomore years, all on a prosthetic leg.

His father, Mike Kittrell, has been with him every step of the way.

“Just the fact that I see him get up every morning since he was really little, putting on his leg and doing whatever it is he has to do to prepare for whatever it is he has to prepare for,” his father said. “He’s an inspiration, and I hope he inspires others the way he does me.”

Kittrell isn’t just going through the motions, though.

“What is great is just how many people he’s inspired as he plays — how many coaches come up and say, ‘Wow,’ and how it is such an encouraging thing to see,” Mt. Juliet Christian football coach Dan Davis said. “And it’s not just because he’s out there, it’s because he plays at such a high level.”

Though a bit undersized for the position, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound linebacker has served as one of the Saints’ top defenders for the past three seasons, tallying 195 career tackles — 14.5 for loss — with 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

“It’s just one of those things, you have to see it,” Davis said.

It is a sight to watch on the field as Kittrell flies to the football, making plays.

“It threw me off for a little bit,” teammate Jack Crouch said. “But once I saw him start running around I thought, ‘Wow, this dude is amazing.’ He’s the real deal.”

As a junior last season, Kittrell made 79 tackles — seven for loss — with three sacks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries to help lead Mt. Juliet Christian to a program-best eight wins, along with the Saints’ first playoff appearance and playoff victory.

“It’s just encouraging, and it shows that anything is possible no matter what,” Saints running back Darius Hylick said. “He doesn’t let it get in the way or slow him down. He’s just like one of us.”

Overcoming the loss of his leg has made Kittrell realize he can overcome anything —such as a torn MCL during his eighth-grade year.

Just as he’d done countless times before, he set his sights on an opposing ball carrier, squared up to make the tackle and then braced for impact.

“He caught me, and I fell to my knees,” he said. “He just kept trucking.”  

It was a setback, though not one that would derail his athletic aspirations. After all, the injury  and the subsequent physical therapy paled in comparison to what he had become accustomed to facing and ultimately conquering. 

“When you make a goal, when you set a goal, don’t let anything stop you from achieving that goal," he said. “Because you put that goal in place for a reason, and that reason is to make yourself better.”

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

Tennessean Sports Awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans

What: The third-annual event will recognize and honor the top athletic accomplishments in Middle Tennessee high school sports.

When: June 3, 6 p.m.

Where: Music City Center

Tickets: Cost is $25 after fees. To purchase tickets, please visit sportsawards.tennessean.com.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.