A Michigan high school football game turned frightening when a player suffered two fractured vertebrae after a dangerous tackle.
The incident happened on September 19 during a match between Kalamazoo Central and Lakeshore High. Footage shows a Kalamazoo player bellyflopping onto an opponent, leaving the rival student with a serious spinal injury. He was rushed to hospital and later released to recover at home.
Teammate Rhys Biske condemned the act, saying on TikTok: “It was an illegal move and had no place. I’m not going to try to defend that—it was a horrible decision.” He added the move was meant as a “celebration” but never to cause harm.
The injured boy’s mother said, “They’re 15 years old, and the game means everything to them. To see someone take that away is awful.” The school confirmed “strong and decisive action” was taken against the player but did not share details.
🏈A junior varsity football game sent a player to the hospital with two spine fractures in Michigan after one player jumped on another player from the opposite team. #HighSchoolFootball #Injury https://t.co/S0gClD4hdY pic.twitter.com/phwRjSxeGW
— KFOX14 News (@KFOX14) September 23, 2025
This shocking case raises tough questions: how far should accountability go when young athletes make dangerous choices?
