(photo via usatodayhss.com)

2013 U.S. National Team alum Shaquem Griffin's story is well-known. Born with amniotic band syndrome, which led to his left hand being amputated at age 4, Griffin overcame the odds, and the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, another football player is fighting a similar battle due to the same ailment.

One leg, seven surgeries and 195 career tackles. Mount Juliet (Tennessee) Christian Academy’s Andrew Kittrell is unstoppable, despite having one less limb than the rest of his teammates.

“Since I was born without my foot, I don’t know anything different,” Kittrell told The Tennessean (Nashville), “Knowing anything else, I just don’t. Knowing this, that’s me.”

Kittrell is a two-sport athlete for the Saints, starting at linebacker for the football team and running track in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump. He also played basketball and baseball growing up.

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He does it all on a running blade, a prosthetic provided by a nonprofit organization in Nashville called Amputee Blade Runners.

The linebacker was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which left him without any leg below his left knee at birth, and a clubfooted right foot. It also affected his fingers, so he's undergone seven surgeries on his fingers due to the disorder.

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From the beginning, Kittrell’s biggest supporter has been his father, Mike Kittrell. He’s as much an inspiration to Andrew as Andrew is to him.

“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.” Kittrell said, “He’s an inspiration, and I hope he inspires others the way he does me.”

Even at his smaller stature for a linebacker at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Kittrell collected 79 tackles, making him one of the top defenders on the team. He also helped Mount Juliet Christian Academy accumulate eight wins for the season, the best in program history.

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Saint’s football coach, Dan Davis, recognizes Kittrell as an outstanding player who catches the attention of other coaches.

“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,” Davis said, “And it’s not just because he’s out there, it’s because he plays at such a high level.”

Sunday, Kittrell will be recognized at the third annual Tennessean Sports Awards in Nashville for being the recipient of the 2018 Kaia Jergenson Courage Award.  

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