A junior varsity football game in Michigan turned tragic when a Kalamazoo Central High School player body-slammed an opponent from Stevensville Lakeshore High School, causing severe spinal injuries. The incident, captured on video and viral online, has ignited outrage and investigations.
‘Horrifying’ incident leaves Michigan high school football player with spine fractures
WARNING: Graphic content showing injury Colton Mims, 15, was playing for Stevensville Lakeshore on Sept. 19 and was locked up and being blocked by an opposing player before falling to the ground. The opposing player proceeded to jump on Colton, leaving him with severe injuries to his spine.
The event occurred on September 18, 2025, at Lakeshore High School. During a play, 15-year-old Lakeshore lineman Colton Mims was tackled by a much larger Kalamazoo player—estimated at 300 pounds—who then leaped up and slammed his full weight onto the prone Mims. Eyewitnesses called it deliberate and excessive.
Mims was carted off and diagnosed with two spinal fractures, sidelining him for the season and casting doubt on his future in football. His mother, Courtney Mims, shared the trauma with MLive: “The entire thing was just horrifying.” In a Facebook update, she noted Colton was on muscle relaxers with hopes for a full recovery, though uncertain.
The video shows the brutal impact, drawing widespread condemnation. Kalamazoo Central issued a statement condemning the “poor choice,” confirming internal discipline. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) praised the response and is handling it internally.
This joins recent youth football injuries, like a paralyzing spinal case in Missouri, highlighting safety concerns.
For the Mims family, healing is priority. Lakeshore’s program offered support, uniting the community in hope for Colton’s recovery. The incident underscores football’s risks, urging better oversight to protect young athletes.
