An Alabama community is grieving the loss of a high school quarterback who suffered a brain injury during the season opener of his football team. Caden Tellier was critically injured during a game on Friday night against Southern Academy and passed away the following day, as confirmed by school officials and his family.
The 16-year-old was taken to a local hospital after sustaining the head injury. Michael McLendon, Executive Director of the Alabama Independent School Association, shared the news of the brain injury on social media, although details regarding the incident have not been disclosed.
In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, Tellier’s parents expressed their sorrow, saying, “Our boy, Caden Tellier has met Jesus face to face. Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity, and love, and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time.”
Caden Tellier was active on the field during the game held in Selma, Alabama, on August 23. According to reports, he was an organ donor, which his headmaster, Bryan Oliver, noted as a testament to the impact of Tellier’s life. “Lives have been touched by the way he lived, and now lives will be saved through his passing,” his family added.
Oliver referred to Tellier as a guiding light within the school, describing him as a student, a friend, an athlete, and above all, a follower of Christ. He expressed the deep sense of loss felt by the school community, stating, “There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family.”
The Tellier family has announced that a service will be planned soon, while Morgan Academy has suspended all school activities for the week in light of the tragedy.