This January 9-year-old Taylor Ramirez competed in the N.F.L. and Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick Finals in Kansas City. Of all the participants, Taylor placed third in the nation - quite a feat considering she was among 3.5 million kids, ages 8 to 15. In Texas and Oklahoman alone, more than 127,000 participants, in 828 competitions, were vying for first place. Each competitor performed one punt, one pass and a placekick, with scores determined by distance and accuracy. Boys and girls were judged separately and the winners from each of 32 sectional rounds were invited to the finals, which took place prior to the Colts and Chiefs A.F.C. Divisional Playoff game in Kansas City. The Punt, Pass and Kick competition was sponsored by all 32 N.F.L. teams and is part of the N.F.L.’s campaign, “Play Football,” to get children involved in the sport.

Those who made it to the finals received star treatment when former Buffalo Bills and Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly presented awards to the eight winners, among them Round Rock’s own Taylor Ramirez.

It turns out Taylor may have been destined for greatness. She joined her first basketball team at the age of 4 and showed a lot of athletic promise from a very young age. According to her mother, Kari Ramirez, her kids were always encouraged to play outside, instead of sitting around watching television. “Our family has a healthy life and a healthy appetite,” laughs Mrs. Ramirez. “I always prayed that Taylor would be more interested in sports than in drill team.”

Apparently her wishes were answered in a big way. Taylor became interested in football a few years ago when she started playing with her brother and other boys from the neighborhood. Mrs. Ramirez believes that competition has been a great thing for her children. “It gives them a good feeling about themselves and it’s all on them, their commitment, responsibility and all of the other important factors, it’s all part of their self-confidence,” she says.

Taylor certainly has the attitude of a winner and the desire to be outdoors, playing baseball, softball and basketball. “I wanted to play because I like football and it’s fun to be active,” she says. In fact, she plans on competing in the next local Punt, Pass and Kick event in September 2004. Her favorite part of the competition was the game in Kansas City. “It was really fun; my whole family was there,” Taylor says, modestly. But her mother knows her daughter accomplished a great deal by placing third in the national competition. “She has a natural ability. I’m very proud of her.”