Two high school football players broke bread at a local Panera in Michigan over the weekend, literally. They came together for a powerful moment of reconciliation after two weeks of headlines surrounding a disturbing incident during a game between Kalamazoo Central and Stevensville Lakeshore.
It was emotional.
Colton Comer forgave the young man who broke his spine in two places at a junior varsity high school football game last month. So should you.
A high school football player at Kalamazoo Central was punished but not suspended.
The aforementioned incident took place during a junior varsity game in Berrien County, Michigan on Thursday. Lakeshore traveled to Kalamazoo Central.
A Kalamazoo offensive lineman (wearing No. 73) blocked an opponent to the ground during the third quarter. He got back to his feet and belly flopped on top of him. His full bodyweight dropped on top of the already flattened defender. The video of the play has since been viewed more than 10 million times.
Comer broke his spine in two places and needed to be stretchered off of the field. He may never play football again.
Although No. 73 made a horrible mistake, the discourse surrounding the viral video very quickly became something much bigger than anyone could’ve expected. It was hateful, violent and often racist.
Meanwhile, his father made a passionate plea to save his son’s education. He begged the school board not to expel him for the mistake. He also spoke to the emotional toll the backlash had on him and his son.
As people on the internet tore his son down, the father asked for compassion and forgiveness.
Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade said that the student’s punishment is aligned with the district’s discipline policies, which are some of the strongest in the state. However, expulsion was not on the table.
Members of the community rallied in support of No. 73 amid threats on his life. One of his Kalamazoo Central teammates also shared a strong defense of the young man’s character.
This serves as a powerful story of forgiveness.
Two weeks after No. 73 body slammed an opponent, the two players and their families met up at a Panera Bread on Saturday. Colton Comer and his father were joined by Melrose Hensley and his son.
“We knew it was a big deal to just get them in front of each other,” said Orlando Little to M Live. Little is an advocate for Fatherhood Network who represents No. 73 and his family.
Comer’s stepmother reached out to Hensley after learning of the death threats and harassment. Little helped to coordinate their meeting at a fairly private location. They also spoke together about their experience on a local radio show, ‘Speak on it with Double A’ after meeting. It was a united front.
Hensley, the father of No. 73, later posted the following message of gratitude on Facebook:
He proudly shared that he has “new friends for life” and says they are “beautiful men.” Hensley also challenged the media to make this meeting go viral like the video. If Comer can forgive, so can you.