An Arlington ISD football player is defying the odds and proving that what makes him different does not hold him back.
Kaleb Phifer, who plays as a safety for Bowie High School, is a deaf student-athlete.
Over the years, the star senior for the Volunteers football team has worked alongside his coaches and teammates to communicate and grow his skills on the football field.
“He’s one of our better players on the team, but he’s also a team leader,” said Joseph Sam, Bowie HS head football Coach and co-athletic coordinator. “He’s on our leadership team, and seeing him succeed on and off the field has been a great inspiration for our football team.”
Phifer started playing football in eighth grade and tells Arlington ISD that he entered the program determined to prove himself. He said rather than focusing on limitations, he focused on showing coaches and teammates who he was through his work ethic and commitment.
“By showing up every day to workouts, showing them that I wanted to play football and really wanted to be in the program,” he said, “I could show people who I really am.”
On the field, Phifer works with sign language interpreter Tori Talora, who stands on the sidelines to give him sign language hand signals so he can know the play calls. She has been with Kaleb for many years and has helped him build confidence in the game.
“They gave me a chance, and they gave Kaleb a chance. They respect him, and he’s such a key part of this team,” Talor said. “I think a lot of kids struggle with believing in themselves. Seeing him make that first big hit and seeing that smile on his face was special.”
Once he felt comfortable enough during his football career, Phifer started wearing a cochlear implant connected to a microphone worn by coaches, which allows him to receive instruction and communicate more effectively during games.
“If I miss a play call, I just look on the sideline,” Phifer said. “I tell one of my teammates the play call is back, and then we go.”
His dedication has made such an impact that he recently received ten college scholarship offers to continue playing football. After he graduates high school in the spring, his goal is to play football in college while earning a business degree.
“Don’t let anybody tell you what to do just because you’re deaf or because of a disability that you have,” Phifer said.
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