Michigan father (Photos via X & WWMT)
The father of a Kalamazoo Central High School football player who caused an opponent multiple spinal fractures made a passionate plea during a board meeting this week.

The player in question has not been identified, but he has gone viral online, with the story closely followed around the nation after video footage showed him belly-flopping onto a downed opponent, which resulted in his spine being fractured in two places.

Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade addressed a board meeting on Thursday night and said that the student’s punishment aligns with district policy, though it has not been disclosed.

Father Of High School Football Player Begs For His Son’s Education

Junior Varsity football game (Photo via X)

The player did not participate in the school’s most recent game. While it was happening, his father spoke in front of the board, acknowledging his son’s wrongdoing while pleading for compassion.

“I accept the punishment. My son is wrong. We sent out letters and everything. But, please, don’t take my son’s education,” he begged, per WWMT, implying the 15-year-old may have been expelled.

The father, who said he was a single parent, claimed to be hurt that the board did not contact him.

 “When I tell you all that me and my son are not doing good, we’re not,” he said.

Others from the Kalamazoo community spoke up in defense of the teenager, pointing out that his mistake, while serious, was still a mistake and that he is still only a child. Others suggested counseling and mentorship instead of retaliation and alienation.

“This is still a child,” one person declared. “We’ve all made mistakes at 15. He deserves a chance to learn from this one.”

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.