Michigan high school punishes JV football player after rival's spine injury

A Michigan high school has punished one of its own junior varsity football players after he was seen jumping on top of a defenseless opponent, resulting in two spinal fractures for 15-year-old Colton Mims during a game between Lakeshore and Kalamazoo Central.

The incident occurred on a late-September Friday night when Mims, a Lakeshore player, lost a blocking battle to a Kalamazoo Central offensive lineman. Moments after the block, the bigger player sprang into the air and then drove his body onto Mims on the turf. Mims was diagnosed with two spinal fractures and has since been ruled out for the season. There has been no official confirmation about whether he will be able to return to football in the future. The offender’s identity has not been disclosed by Kalamazoo Central due to student-privacy protections.

In a statement, Kalamazoo Central High School said it took “strong and decisive action” against the district’s own junior varsity player involved in the play. The district noted that the actions taken exceeded what Michigan High School Athletic Association regulations would ordinarily require in cases of dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior. A separate district-wide release characterized the incident as unacceptable and not reflective of the values Kalamazoo Public Schools expects from student-athletes, coaches, and the broader school community. The district said the disciplinary measures were implemented in alignment with its Student Code of Conduct and MHSAA guidelines.

The superintendent of Lakeshore Public Schools circulated a letter to students, staff, and families acknowledging the incident and emphasizing ongoing support for the injured player. The letter also noted regular communication with Mims’s family and stated that measures have been put in place to help the student continue his education while he recovers.

Courtney Mims, Colton’s mother, told WSBT she was on site when the incident occurred and said she would not be deterred from reaching her son. She described the moment as deeply upsetting and said the game, which means a great deal to the players, should not have produced such an outcome. She recalled that while some Kalamazoo Central players had attempted to apologize, she emphasized that one individual’s actions did not reflect an entire team or community. She thanked the broader community for its support and reiterated that her family remains focused on Colton’s recovery.

The incident drew national attention to safety and sportsmanship concerns in high school football, prompting statements from district officials about accountability and the need to protect student-athletes. Lake shore and Kalamazoo Central officials both stressed that the case would be handled under established conduct standards while remaining mindful of the ongoing medical and educational needs of the injured student.

The Kalamazoo Public Schools system noted that it is working with families and coaches to reinforce appropriate behavior and to minimize the risk of reoccurrences, including reviewing policy and oversight of JV programs. The Lakeshore district likewise indicated it is supporting Colton’s education and recovery, while continuing to review the circumstances of the event to prevent similar incidents in the future.