News Summary

Colton Comer, a junior varsity football player from Lakeshore High School, is recovering at home after suffering a fractured spine during a game against Kalamazoo Central High School. The injury, which occurred on September 18, 2025, has raised serious concerns about safety in youth athletics. Videos showing the incident went viral, prompting disciplinary actions against the Kalamazoo player involved. Lakeshore officials condemned the actions as unacceptable, highlighting the need for improved safety in student sports amidst the ongoing discussions about sportsmanship.

Stevensville, Michigan

A junior varsity football player from Lakeshore High School, Colton Comer, is recovering after suffering a fractured spine during a game against Kalamazoo Central High School on September 18, 2025. The incident occurred in Stevensville, Michigan, and has raised serious concerns about safety and sportsmanship in youth athletics.

The disturbing injury was captured on video by Comer’s mother, Courtney Mims, and has gone viral online. The video shows a player from Kalamazoo Central jumping on Comer after he had already been tackled, which led to the spinal injury. After the unfortunate occurrence, Comer was rushed to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with spinal fractures in two places.

As of now, Comer has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. However, he will miss the remainder of the football season, raising questions about his future in the sport. Mims expressed her emotional response upon realizing that the player in the video was her son, indicating feelings of upset and shock.

In response to the incident, Kalamazoo Central’s administration issued a statement acknowledging what happened and describing the player’s actions as a “poor choice,” citing an influence from a social media video that was unrelated to the team or coaches. They emphasized that the incident does not reflect the values or standards of their football program, coaching staff, or school community.

Disciplinary actions are currently being enforced against the player from Kalamazoo Central, aligned with the Kalamazoo Public Schools Student Code of Conduct and Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) regulations. The MHSAA confirmed that the administration has taken this incident very seriously, imposing consequences that exceed the standard guidelines for unsportsmanlike behavior.

The identity of the Kalamazoo Central player involved in the incident has not been disclosed to the public due to privacy laws regarding minors. Despite this, reports indicate that other players from Kalamazoo Central have reached out to Comer to express their apologies for the occurrence.

Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Greg Eding condemned the incident as “totally unacceptable,” asserting that such actions have no place in student athletics. Meanwhile, the principal of Kalamazoo Central emphasized the importance of accountability, consequences, and learning opportunities, calling for community support for both families involved in this situation.

This incident has sparked wider discussions about sportsmanship and the safety of student athletes. While youth sports are often celebrated for promoting teamwork and physical fitness, occurrences like this highlight the need for vigilance and reform in ensuring the safety and well-being of young players on the field.

The unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with participation in athletics and the impact that actions during game play can have on young individuals’ futures.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CBS News: Michigan High School Football Player Jumps Opponent, Fractures Spine
• WZZM 13: Kalamazoo Central High School Football Player Punished
• Detroit News: Deliberate Act Leaves Michigan JV Football Player with Spinal Fracture
• Wikipedia: American Football
• MLive: Horrifying Incident Leaves Michigan High School Football Player with Spine Fractures
• Google News: Michigan High School Football Injury