A high school football player in Michigan will miss the rest of the season after a disturbing incident on Thursday evening. He broke his spine in two places.
A much larger opponent jumped on top of him while he laid defenseless on the ground.
Fortunately, the young man is expected to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, he may never be able to continue his high school football career.
A high school football game sent a player to the hospital.
The aforementioned incident took place during a junior varsity game in Berrien County, Michigan on Thursday. Lakeshore traveled to Kalamazoo Central.
A video posted to TikTok that has since been deleted shows Kalamazoo before the game. It appears to encourage violence.
— – (@Spicoli_____) September 21, 2025
Notice how No. 73 is much larger than his teammates. He blocked an opponent to the ground during the third quarter. That opponent is the 15-year-old son of Courtney Mims, who provided the following video.
Not only did No. 73 pancake block Colton Comer, the large offensive lineman got back to his feet and belly flopped on top of him. His full bodyweight dropped on top of the already flattened defender.
— – (@Spicoli_____) September 21, 2025
According to Mims, her son was taken to the hospital where doctors discovered two separate breaks in his spine.
“”At first was like, is that my son? And as soon as it clicked that it was, I couldn’t be stopped,” she told WSBT22. “I had to go down there. It was I’ve never felt anything like it. I’ve never been as upset or shaken up as I was over something for my son”
The young man was released from the hospital and now recovering at home.
“He’s out at least for this season,” Mims continued. “We don’t know if he’s going to be able to play again. He should and will make a full recovery.”
As far as I am aware, No. 73 was not penalized for unnecessary roughness. Although it was unethical, it was a legal play. In fact, some offensive line coaches might encourage their players to “put their belly on them.” However, to jump on top of an already downed opponent is a dirty move.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is standing down.
Any potential disciplinary action against the Kalamazoo Central student will not come from the state.
“We are aware of the situation you’re describing,” the MHSAA said. “We’ve talked to both schools, and they are resolving this issue internally.”
Lakeshore offered a similar statement.
“We can’t share any information at this time, other than that we are working with the other school about this situation,” it said.
Head coach Danny Thompson ensured all of the proper procedures are being followed to respond to the incident. This matter remains under review.