KALAMAZOO, MI –– The father of a Michigan high school football player who fractured an opposing player’s spine during a junior varsity football game last week is begging for understanding.
Melrose Hensley spoke during the public comment section of Kalamazoo Central Public Schools’ board meeting night, asking for compassion after his son, a Kalamazoo Central junior varsity player, sent Stevensville Lakeshore football player Colton Comer to the hospital with severe spine injuries during last Thursday’s game.
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Hensley apologized to the affected Lakeshore family, stating he didn’t see the incident occur but watched the video one time and “can’t even fathom looking at it again.”
“If I would have seen that play, I would have gone out on that field myself and got my child and took him out,” Hensley said. “I didn’t see it, there weren’t any flags at all, and I didn’t know what was going on. Since this incident has happened, I’ve never seen my son in a state that I’ve seen from a child in my life and I have six children.
“I’ve never been in the state that I’m in right now. I had to go and even get myself some help. They’ve got me on some anxiety medication.”
The incident, which was captured on video by Colton’s mother, Courtney Mims, has since stirred plenty of controversy worldwide, with millions of views reported across the country.
Kalamazoo Central called the act “egregious” in a statement released on Monday, noting that the behavior of the individual student is “unacceptable and does not reflect the values of sportsmanship, respect and integrity that KPS expects from student-athletes, coaches and the entire school community.”
According to a story done by News Channel 3, Kalamazoo Central Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade said that the student’s punishment is in line with the district’s discipline policies, noting that the policies are some of the strongest in the state.
Due to student privacy laws, the specific disciplinary action has not been released by Kalamazoo Central.
However, Hensley spoke in front of K-Central’s school board meeting by first accepting the district’s disciplinary action –– but pleaded for his son’s education.
“People saying that my son doesn’t have a father in his life, I’m there every step of the way,” he said. “I got out of everything, I’m a second-year college student and I’m out trying to show my son. Dr. Slade, I accept the punishment … my son is wrong. We sent out letters and everything. But, please, don’t take my son’s education.”
Hensley also said that his son is experiencing racist comments and violent threats.
“I’m a single parent and there’s a lot of things that have been said from adults towards my child,” Hensley said. “God knows if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be hurt. But ain’t no way I’d threaten any of your (child). And when I tell ya’ll that me and my son are not doing good, we’re not.”
According to a story done by News Channel 3, several community members spoke of concern for the Kalamazoo Central student –– with most asking for proper punishment, including counseling and mentorship, rather than retaliation.
“This is still a child,” one person said. “We’ve all made mistakes at 15. He deserves a chance to learn from this one.”
A Kalamazoo Central football player also spoke about how the incident doesn’t reflect the student involved, nor the team or school. He mentioned that both teams prayed after the incident occurred.
“I am proud to be a student of KC,” he said. “I ask tonight for you to see us for who we are, not who we’ve been painted to be. That’s why I’m speaking – not to minimize the pain of the student who was hurt, but ot make sure we don’t ignore the other young man who’s also hurt.”
Hensley noted that while he has received support from Kalamazoo Central staff, he did not receive any from Slade.
“Whether wrong or right, Dr. Slade, out of respect you could have gave me a phone call,” he said. “This is your district. I’m not upset, but I’m hurt. This ain’t how I raised my children.”
Both Lakeshore and K-Central Public Schools have released statements on the incident, which were released earlier this week.
Lakeshore superintendent Greg Eding’s letter said that the incident was “totally unacceptable and has no place in student athletics.”
In response to that, the Michigan High School Athletic Association released its own statement:
“Kalamazoo Central has taken this matter very seriously and they have taken strong and decisive action. Due to student privacy laws, we cannot disclose the specific accountability actions, but they have exceeded what MHSAA regulations would otherwise require in cases of dangerous and unsportsmanlike behavior.”
Comer was released from the hospital following the incident and is recovering at home.