Bullies Called Him Fat and a ‘Red Tomato’ But When My Son Finally Stood Up While Playing Football- Superior, Wisconsin Mom

Bre Berthiaume is proud of his son, Tanner, who stood up for himself when he was being bullied at his school park while playing football.

Tanner has been bullied since the beginning of the school year and has been called red tomato and fat.

High school can be a source of stress and fear for many students because of bullying.

Bullying is when someone repeatedly and intentionally uses words or actions to hurt or have power over another person. It isn’t just a one-time argument or fall-out between friends.

It can be verbal, like name-calling; social, like embarrassing someone in public; and physical, like destroying someone’s property.

The impact of this behavior is profound and can make students feel anxious, lonely, and worthless.

If you are being bullied, tell someone you trust, stay calm —bullies often want a reaction —and stick together in groups, because bullies are less likely to target someone who isn’t alone.

Similarly, if you see someone being bullied, speak up, be a friend, and report it. Looking out for each other can make high school a little kinder.

Bullies Called Him Fat and a ‘Red Tomato,’ But a Wisconsin Mom is Praising Her Son’s Courage

A mother from Superior, Wisconsin, is sharing her heartbreak and pride after her son, tired of relentless bullying, finally stood up for himself.

Bre Berthiaume posted on Facebook about her son, Tanner, who has been a target for bullies since the start of the school year.

The bullies cruelly called Tanner a “red tomato” and “fat,” made fun of his speech, and even performed sumo wrestler impressions to mock him.

Tanner was so afraid of retaliation that he asked his mother not to contact the school or the other parents.

One day Tanner went to his school park to play with his grandpa, brother, cousin, and uncle. He was playing football with his friends when these kids began hurling insults at him again.

This time Tanner told them to stop. When the bullying continued, he pushed one of the bullies, leading to a physical altercation where Tanner was punched in the eye.

Tanner came home crying and told his mother he no longer wants to go to school.

Bre asked him why he let that happen to him, and her son expressed that others were stronger than him. Thus, she made some phone calls and lined up people who would start working with him on ways to protect himself and get stronger.

Bre’s post expressed her pride in her son for defending himself and issued a powerful reminder.

Nonetheless, her story has resonated with many, drawing an outpouring of support for Tanner from parents who understand the devastating impact of bullying.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Bre Berthiaume is originally from Superior, Wisconsin, and attended East Senior High School.
• She was a former DSP at Kiminiki Homes and works as a site lead at At Home Living-Office.