Late Hit: Boy Hurt At NCAA Football Game

4-Year-Old Recovering After On-Field Collision In End Zone During Colorado State Spring Game

(CBS/AP)  A 4-year-old boy was recovering from a deep cut to his head after Colorado State wide receiver George Hill collided with him during CSU's spring game.

Hill was catching a touchdown pass when his momentum carried him into Caden Thomas on the sidelines Saturday. Caden was among several kids playing on the sidelines as part of a kids' festival at Hughes Stadium, said Caden's father, Mike Thomas.

Neurological exams were normal, so the family opted to take Caden to the hospital on their own after he was initially treated by CSU trainer Terry DeZeeuw and team doctor Sean Grey, Mike Thomas said.

"It was kind of scary," Caden said.

The boy had surgery to stitch up the cut. Tests showed no skull fracture or other trauma, and he was released from the hospital Saturday night, the Fort Collins Coloradoan reported.

"He will have a scar to rival Harry Potter," Caden's father, Mike, told the newspaper.

Caden got a signed CSU football and a call from coach Sonny Lubick on Sunday.

"We had a nice little talk and he had a nice little talk with Caden," Mike Thomas told the newspaper. "I imagine there were 3,000 to 4,000 people there who want to know how he is doing."

[kiddo88]

I dunno about you, but when I was a kid I would play by the sidelines with my friends while my parents were at games, football and basketball. I've been hit in the head a few times by balls, and I learned to watch myself around big people running around close to me. The problem with this next generation is they are being overprotected! Kids should be climbing trees and riding bikes and playing. And if they get hurt, then they learn their lesson.

[capman69]

Babies and kids wandering sidelines, with linemen, receivers, tackles, ends, etc' They're all in full pads and helmets for a reason..why not let your 4 year old wander around on the field? Makes sense to me. Lock up the parents, idiots. Now they're on talk shows? They're celeb's? Give me a F****** break.

[steje07]

I find the comments regarding this story to be absurd. I don't believe these Parents are going to file a lawsuit and curious how this is even a topic. Even though I think this child was a little young to be on the football field, I don't believe we should ban all non-participants from being on the field. This was a very special day for these kids had this incident not occured.

A part of growing up is making mistakes. We are becoming a society where people with good intentions are crucified in the media for an honest mistake. We will soon be sheltering our children so much that when they are adults and called upon to make hard decisions, they will not have the pains of mistakes driving their decisions.

[trlblzn]

I commend the player. He was concentrating on the game and I wouldn't think his mind was on babysitting ... I have watched the clip over and over, the player hit the ground to stop himself it appears he intentionally moved his body to have his own head hit the wall before the childs. Then to see the player's first instinct to be for the child is endearing especially as the mother of a 4year old myself. Kudo's George Hill keep up the good work. I wish to be honest with my children when I tell them that your efforts and mindset are the way they should control themselves.

[jj_216]

yea i think that the kid doesnt need to be down there, but also if there is a kid down there that kid needs to stay by the parents so that this wouldnt happen. that kid is a really lucky kid because if hill didnt grab him and take him in he would have got hurt worst then what had happen to him.

[uncle-fun]

***? This kids parents should be fined for child endangerment, at least. But no, they'll probably sue, because they're lousy parents.

Just keep telling yourself this is the best country in America.

[coachke07]

If it were my kid he would have been no were near the football field. That is not a place for small children to be. Football players weight a lot and they have all that equipment on which makes them weigh even more. The football field is a dangerous place and not a place for people who are not playing to be standing.
I hope that the kid is okay. But on the parents part the kid should not have been on the field.

[cantshutup]

If I was that football player, I'd sue the parents and the school for freakin my s h i t out!!!!

[thegame221]

There is absolutely NO excuse for children to be on or near the field in a game setting. This is not your backyard or down the street. Everyone is to blame on this one!!! The parents and the school share equal blame.

We have all witnessed adults (media) get injured on the sidelines before so the risks were known. No excuses. None.

[jdubs63]

Hugs to Caden.. he didn't know he was having fun without parent supervision.... Kudos to the coaches, players and whom ever else taking him from harms way..after the fact