Shocking video reveals a Michigan high school football player’s spine was broken during a junior varsity game when another player tackled him in an aggressive manner.
The incident happened during a Thursday night game involving Lakeshore and Kalamazoo Central High School. According to the footage and the injured boy’s mother, things escalated after they had finished playing.
The video, captured by spectators in the stands, shows a Lakeshore player targeting a 15-year-old Kalamazoo Central player, named Colton. While Colton was still on the ground, the larger player jumped onto him, putting all his weight onto the already curled-up teen.
Following the tackle, Colton was immediately taken from the field to the hospital. He suffered two spinal fractures and was prescribed muscle relaxers upon his release, as shared by his mother, Courtney Mim.
Initially, Mims, who was present at the game, didn’t realize the seriousness when she saw her son on the ground, but once she did, she felt compelled to rush over. “When it clicked, I couldn’t just sit there. I had never felt anything like it,” she recalled.
She expressed concern for the players, noting, “These boys are just kids, 15 years old. These games are crucial for them, and seeing something like that is awful.”
Mims added that her son would be sidelined for the rest of the season, and doctors are evaluating whether he can ever return to play.
In a statement, the schools involved and the Michigan High School Athletic Association are looking into the situation internally.
It remains uncertain if any players from either team will face consequences for their actions.
The next day, Kalamazoo Central’s varsity team defeated Lakeshore 26-7. A Facebook post celebrated the win, dedicating it to Colton.
Tragically, during the 2024 football season, numerous high school athletes suffered severe injuries or fatalities during practices. One Alabama teen tragically died after a head injury sustained early in the season, while a 16-year-old in Los Angeles passed away a week after suffering a brain injury during a tackle.
