KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WNDU/Gray News) – A high school football player from Michigan is being punished after a viral video showed him jumping on and injuring a player on the opposing team during a junior varsity game.
The junior varsity football game between Kalamazoo Central High School and Lakeshore High School happened last Thursday. Video shows one of the Kalamazoo Central players knock down a Lakeshore player then belly flop on top of him while he’s lying on the ground.
The Lakeshore player’s mother says he suffered two broken vertebrae in his lower spine, and he’s lucky he’ll be able to walk again.
Both school districts involved released statements regarding the unsportsmanlike actions.
Kalamazoo Public Schools called the Kalamazoo Central player’s behavior “unacceptable” and said he has received consequences consistent with the district’s student code of conduct.
“This type of behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of sportsmanship, respect, and integrity that Kalamazoo Public Schools expects from student-athletes, coaches, and the entire school community,” the school district said.
Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Greg Eding also said the Kalamazoo Central player’s behavior is “totally unacceptable and has no place in student athletics.”
“This incident was an intentional, unprovoked and flagrant violation of the rules and appropriate sports conduct and resulted in an injury to one of our Lakeshore student athletes,” Eding said.
He added the Kalamazoo Schools superintendent has apologized and applied serious disciplinary consequences to the Kalamazoo Central student-athlete.
After the incident, he says both varsity teams came together before their Friday game to say a prayer for the injured Lakeshore student.
“We wish the Lakeshore student a speedy recovery and we are in regular communication with his family regarding this matter. We also have put in place supportive measures to ensure our student athlete can continue his education while he recovers,” Eding said.
Neither district specified what disciplinary action was taken against the Kalamazoo Central player, but he will be out for a few games, according to the mother of the injured Lakeshore player. WNDU is still working to confirm that.