Some athletes play for the scoreboard; others play for something deeper. For Kingston High School’s Otis Armstrong, every snap, every step, and every collision carries the weight of his identity and his history. “I was born in Mansfield, Texas and moved to Oklahoma when I was 12. I have been playing football since I was nine years old. On the field, I like to represent my culture in the way I play. I never forget where I come from and the sacrifices my ancestors made to get here.”
Football came naturally to Armstrong, shaped early by family tradition. “My entire family loved football so naturally I had to play. Football to me is everything. It’s the one sport where you can have people from all different backgrounds come together to achieve a goal and that is to win.”
That sense of unity connects directly to his heritage. “My Choctaw heritage has shaped me into a leader. There is a certain pride I have when I call myself Choctaw. It allows me to be able to lead in my own way and I always remember the sacrifices made by the Choctaws to get here.”
Armstrong carries those teachings beyond the field. “I apply my culture to my school. The teachings I take are when we are told stories with lessons about life and how to handle certain situations. I use those stories and apply them to my life,and they shape my values.”
He plays not only for himself, but for the people who built him up. “My community has sacrificed so much for me and my team… My dad has been there for me during my highs and lows. He has been practicing with me ever since I started.” When the season tests him, he leans on faith and family. “The way I handle it is by praying. I also keep my mental well-being by talking to my dad.”
Pieces of home keep him grounded. “The big things that I hold close are the pow-wows. It makes me feel like I’m ready for war. I also love playing stickball.” And nothing makes him prouder than where he plays. “Playing at Kingston has been a blessing. Kingston is a big family, and it has made me who I am.”
Looking ahead, Armstrong wants his heritage to guide his future. “I would love to preserve the values that come with being Choctaw. I want to share my story, so others are inspired.” After high school, he already has a plan: “My plans are to go to Murray State College and opening my own gun shop.”
