Social media erupted

Meanwhile, social media erupted with anger and calls for accountability.

“The offending player should be suspended from school, prosecuted, and the coach or coaches should be permanently suspended for suggesting and encouraging such action,” one commenter wrote.

Another added, “How could punishment for the pancaking player be unclear? That was a criminal attack that would even be punished in the NFL.”

As Colton begins a long road to recovery, his mother hopes his story raises awareness about the dangers of unsafe plays in youth sports.