What began as a routine high school football game in Michigan turned into every parent’s nightmare.
During a junior varsity matchup between Lakeshore High School and Kalamazoo Central High School, 15-year-old Colton Mims suffered a devastating injury after being crushed under the full weight of a much larger opposing player.
The brutal “pancake tackle” — captured on camera and shared widely online — has since sent shockwaves through the local community and across social media.
The footage shows the moment the larger Lakeshore player tackles Colton with overwhelming force, landing on him twice. Gasps filled the stands as spectators realized the severity of what they had just witnessed. Within moments, teammates and medical staff carried Colton off the field as his mother, Courtney Mims, ran toward him in panic.
“As soon as I realized it was my son, I couldn’t be stopped,” she told WSBT, her voice shaking. “I’ve never been as upset or shaken as I was that night.”
Colton was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the worst — two fractures in his spine. The injury has sidelined him for the season and left his football future uncertain.
Courtney said through tears, “He’s out at least for this season. We don’t know if he’ll ever be able to play again. These boys are 15 — football is their whole life right now.”
Doctors have prescribed medication and placed Colton under strict medical supervision. He now faces a long, uncertain recovery — one that could take months, if not years.
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