State

This boy is being bullied at school. Here’s what Frank Martin plans to do about it

The video took on a life of its own. Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of people shared Keaton Jones' post on Facebook, leading to more than 15 million views in the span of two days.
The video took on a life of its own. Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of people shared Keaton Jones' post on Facebook, leading to more than 15 million views in the span of two days. Facebook

A bullied Tennesse boy whose tears have broken and softened the heart of thousands across the nation will soon have another reason to ignore those mean bullies.

South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin said on Twitter on Sunday that he hopes to bring Keaton Jones back to the locker room when the team visits Knoxville.

“That is so sad and so powerful,” said Martin about Keaton’s video.

The video went viral over the weekend, when Keaton’s mother recorded her son telling her how he’s bullied at school.

“They make fun of my nose. They call me ugly. They say I have no friends,” said Keaton as he beings to cry. The bullies “put milk on me and put ham down my clothes, throw bread on me.”

Kimberly Jones, Keaton’s mom, uploaded the video to Facebook on Friday, stating that she had to once again pick up her son early from school because he was too terrified to have lunch at school, according to multiple media reports.

Celebrities, football players and even Martin have reached out with ways to cheer the boy up. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, posted advice for the boy and even invited him and his mom to the premier of “Avengers: Infinity War.”

But before then, Keaton will get to meet the Gamecocks if Martin gets him to join the team in the locker room. The men’s basketball team will take on the Tennessee Volunteers on Feb. 13.

Cynthia Roldán: 803-771-8311, @CynthiaRoldan

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 2:10 PM with the headline "This boy is being bullied at school. Here’s what Frank Martin plans to do about it."

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