*Jackson State football coach T.C. Taylor turned to Leilani Armenta, a member of the Jackson State women’s soccer program, to fill in for the team’s kicker on Sept. 23, during the week of the Bethune-Cookman game.
Armenta, a white girl, became the first woman to play football at the HBCU’s Southwestern Athletic Conference because the Tigers’ kicker, Gerardo Baeza, was injured in the Texas State game.
As the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reports, Taylor knew Armenta’s first kick would be historic.
“I kind of figured there was some history we were making there, but it was a great opportunity for her to come out and help this football team and at the same time vice-versa,” Taylor said. “I am very proud of what she came out and did in that game.”
HBCU HISTORY AT JSU!!
With this opening kickoff, Leilani Armenta became the first women to EVER suit up in an HBCU football game at any documented level!@LeilaniArmenta #TheeILove pic.twitter.com/QnHtCkh8qa
— Bradley Davis WAPT (@DdavisBradley) September 23, 2023
Taylor said Armenta’s love of football was evident when he met her. During practice, she used her own helmet and shoulder pads.
“It’s my job not to let her go out there and get hurt. That’s why I gave her the opening kickoff, just tried to do a good job of protecting her,” said Taylor. She just got here on Tuesday, so I didn’t want her to get hurt. It will take some time to get back in the swing of things.”
Brandy Armenta, Leilani’s mother, also gushed about her daughter’s athletic milestone.
“It means so much to us as a family,” Brandy Armenta, told the Clarion Ledger. “To see her make history at Jackson State with a team and a coach who supported it. She loves football and to see her accomplish making history was an incredibly moving moment as parents.”
Thank you ???? JSU fans, coaches and teammates for all of the love and support! This was one of my first kicks last week, 10 months post ACL surgery. I have played for 4 years with my senior season being played on a torn ACL. Grateful and Thankful! ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/uEuwNG9l6E
— Leilani Armenta ???? (@LeilaniArmenta) September 24, 2023
St. Bonaventure coach Joe Goyeneche, where Leilan played girls soccer and kicked for the football team, said her “determination is second to none.”
“She was a warrior. She played competitive soccer her whole life. She knew what it took to be successful, and she bought into football when she was here. She wasn’t treated any differently than any of the other guys. She worked her behind off to get better, and she would go to kicking camps,” Goyeneche explained.
“When she wants something, she is going to fight and get it. She is a very, very dedicated individual. Wherever she goes in life, she is going to be successful. She is inspiring.”
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