The devastating play during a junior varsity matchup between Lakeshore and Kalamazoo Central has left Colton sidelined for the season, and possibly longer.
“I’ve never felt anything like it”
Video of the incident quickly circulated online, showing the larger Lakeshore player landing on Colton not once, but twice, after a tackle.
Spectators gasped as the teen was carried off the field, leaving his mother, Courtney Mims, shaken.
“As soon as it clicked that it was my son, I couldn’t be stopped. I had to go down there,” she told WSBT. “I’ve never felt anything like it. I’ve never been as upset or shaken up as I was over something for my son.”
Colton was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed he had suffered two spinal fractures. He was prescribed muscle relaxers and is now being closely monitored to determine whether he can ever safely return to football.
“He’s out at least for this season. We don’t know if he’s going to be able to play again… These boys are high school boys. They’re 15 years old. The game means a lot to them,” Courtney said. “It’s their whole life right now… and for somebody to try to take that from someone doing so much is awful for me to see.”
“It’s unacceptable,” she told MLive. “My kid could have been paralyzed easily. He can barely walk right now and I don’t know if he can ever play football again. It’s his whole life right now and it’s just sad.”
“It was so purposeful”
Courtney Mims’ friend, Gretta Volkenstein, was the first to share footage of the shocking incident on Facebook. She told MLive that watching it unfold was “the worst thing that could happen to a parent ever.”
“It was so purposeful and impulsive by a kid, which is awful,” Volkenstein said. “It’s a split-second decision that can change somebody’s whole life. This is our time to say things that even when they are uncomfortable and teach the kids the right way to handle this and communicate. People have to be held accountable for their actions.”
The community has rallied around Colton, with classmates and supporters dedicating Kalamazoo Central’s varsity win the next day to him.
“The win was for Colton,” a Facebook post celebrating the 26-7 victory read.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) confirmed that the incident is being handled internally.
“We are aware of the situation you’re describing… We’ve talked to both schools, and they are resolving this issue internally,” said a spokesperson. Lakeshore school officials added, “We can’t share any information at this time, other than that we are working with the other school about this situation.”
Social media erupted
Meanwhile, social media erupted with anger and calls for accountability.
“The offending player should be suspended from school, prosecuted, and the coach or coaches should be permanently suspended for suggesting and encouraging such action,” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “How could punishment for the pancaking player be unclear? That was a criminal attack that would even be punished in the NFL.”
As Colton begins a long road to recovery, his mother hopes his story raises awareness about the dangers of unsafe plays in youth sports.
“Colton will likely need to get back X-rays and checkups for many years. Any kind of accident, even a slip and fall years from now, could result in lifelong paralysis.
The school and the police need to take immediate action regarding the brute who purposely pancaked him,” one social media user wrote.
On Monday, it was announced that the Kalamazoo Central High School football player will face punishment. Neither school district revealed the exact punishment for the Kalamazoo Central player, but the mother of the injured Lakeshore athlete says he’ll miss a few games.
