Michigan high school football player fractures spine after belly-flop tackle; mother recounts horror

A 15-year-old junior varsity football player at Lake Shore High School in Michigan sustained two spinal fractures when a larger opponent from Kalamazoo Central High School belly-flopped onto him during a third-quarter block in a game last week. Colton Mims was taken to the hospital, diagnosed with two spinal fractures, and the season ended. He has since been released and is back at home, with doctors projecting a full recovery but uncertainty about returning to football.

Courtney Mims, Colton's mother, told WSBT that she watched from the sideline and rushed onto the field when she realized it was her son on the ground. "As soon as it clicked that it was my son, I couldn't be stopped. I had to go down there. I've never felt anything like it. I've never been as upset or shaken up as I was over something for my son," she said.

Officials from Kalamazoo Central High School said they have taken "strong and decisive action" against the unnamed player involved in the tackle. The school did not identify the student publicly. In the days after the incident, other members of Kalamazoo Central reached out to Courtney Mims to apologize, a gesture she described on social media as meaningful. In a Facebook post, she wrote, "This truly brought me to tears, and has helped remind me that one player's actions do not reflect an entire team." She added, "We stand with the right side, and are so thankful to everyone in this community and continuing to share the story."

Courtney stressed that the players are teenagers and the game means a great deal to them. "They're 15 years old. The game means a lot to them. It's their whole life right now. They’re there from before I get up to go to work in the morning till after dinner, putting in the work and for somebody to try to take that from somebody doing so much is awful for me to see," she said.

Colton’s medical team said recovery will take time and that it remains uncertain whether he will be able to play football again. He was released from the hospital and is recovering at home under physicians’ guidance. Friends, coaches, and members of both Lake Shore and Kalamazoo Central communities have offered support in the wake of the incident, underscoring the emotional impact on families and players alike.

The incident has highlighted the ongoing conversation around youth football safety and the responsibilities schools and teams bear to protect players. Lake Shore officials have not disclosed further details about the incident beyond confirming the medical evaluation and Colton’s at-home recovery. The family has asked for privacy as Colton continues to recover, and they have expressed gratitude for the messages of support from across the community and beyond.