Michigan high school football player injured in body slam returns to field in wheelchair

A Michigan high school football player who was injured when a body slam fractured his spine returned to the field in a wheelchair to visit his Lakeshore High School teammates before Friday's game.

Colton Mims, 15, plays for Lakeshore and was injured during a junior varsity game against Kalamazoo Central on Sept. 19, according to family statements and school officials. His mother, Courtney Mims, told local outlets that Colton is dealing with two slight fractures in his spine and shared the moment of his visit with the team on social media.

During the late stages of the Sept. 19 game, a Kalamazoo Central player jumped on top of Mims at the conclusion of a play, according to statements from Kalamazoo Public Schools and the families involved. The incident prompted action at the district level and became a focal point for discussions about safety and sportsmanship in Michigan high school athletics.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association said Kalamazoo Central took “strong and decisive action” beyond what MHSAA regulations would typically require in cases involving dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior, and that the actions were handled internally by the schools involved. Because of student privacy laws, MHSAA officials stated they cannot disclose specific accountability measures.

Kalamazoo Public Schools described the incident as the action of an individual student and asserted that the behavior was unacceptable and did not reflect the values the district seeks from student-athletes, coaches, and the broader school community. The district said it would provide additional details only as internal processes allow.

The episode prompted coverage across local and national outlets, with Fox News Digital noting the actions taken by Kalamazoo Central and the district’s ongoing handling of the matter. The report highlighted the school communities’ emphasis on sportsmanship, accountability, and safety for players at all levels.

Colton Mims’ return to the Lakeshore sideline for the visit came as the Lakeshore program prepared for Friday’s game. His family and teammates have expressed gratitude for the support shown in the wake of the injury, and Lakeshore officials have emphasized ongoing care and communication with Colton and his family as he continues to recover.

The incident, still under internal review by the participating districts, underscores ongoing concerns about player safety and the management of on-field confrontations in youth and scholastic sports. Officials say they will continue to cooperate with any investigations and will share information as privacy guidelines and internal processes permit.

The episode remains a developing story as schools, leagues, and families navigate the implications for youth athletics, including discipline, safety protocols, and the culture surrounding games at the junior varsity level.