Girl's gridiron dreams come true playing linebacker

KINGWOOD, TX (KTRK) -- There is perhaps no greater passion in Texas than school kids and their football. It's just not every day that the gridiron includes a girl. But then again, Destiny Armendariz isn't your typical 14-year-old.

"They treat me just like one of them, which is good," says Armendariz, while referring to her teammates, all of whom are boys.

She's in her second year on the Creekwood Middle School eighth grade "B" football team. This year, she's the starting middle linebacker.

"I'm proud of her," says mom Theresa Armendariz. "I'm like ecstatic to watch her play. I just think it is amazing."

Destiny's parents are a common sight on the bleachers during game nights. Dad is the one with the big camera, taking pictures. Both are understandably proud of their daughter, who is described by some as a tough cookie.

"Whatever she wants to do, she just needs to put a hundred percent to it and she can make anything happen," says dad Emil. "She's got that mentality."

She's also gotten helpful advice from big brother, Emil Jr. He is a safety and wide receiver on the junior varsity football team at Kingwood High School.

"It's not an easy position but she took the advice I gave her and she made it and she's doing good at it," said her brother.

But what makes every practice, every game truly worthwhile? For Destiny, it's knowing she's living out her late grandfather's dream.

"I grew up going to my grandparents' house a lot and it was always something that my grandpa was into and I thought it would make him proud of me if I was doing what he loved."

Destiny's parents say there is no doubt grandpa would be very proud. And just like her name, Destiny wants to go far. Perhaps college ball, maybe even the NFL -- after making the high school team first, of course.