Alabama High School Football Player Dies After Game Injury

Caden Tellier, a 16-year-old junior quarterback at Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, tragically passed away following a severe brain injury sustained during a high school football game against Southern Academy on Friday night. The injury occurred in the third quarter when Caden was tackled. He was immediately airlifted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hospital, where he was treated for his critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Caden succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

Caden’s parents, Jamie and Arsella Tellier, announced his passing on social media, expressing their deep sorrow and gratitude for the community’s support. They wrote, “Our boy, Caden Tellier, has met Jesus face to face. We appreciate all of your prayers and ask for your continued support in the hard days ahead. Everyone who knew Caden has experienced his kindness, generosity, and love. True to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time, as lives will be saved through his passing.” Caden’s parents highlighted that he was an organ donor, continuing his legacy of giving even in death.

Morgan Academy’s head of school, Dr. Bryan Oliver, expressed the profound impact of Caden’s passing on the school community. In a statement, he said, “It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most importantly, a Christ follower. There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family.” Dr. Oliver also announced that all athletic activities would be suspended for the next week, including the scheduled football game against Wilcox Academy, to honor Caden’s memory and give the school community time to grieve.

AISA (Alabama Independent School Association) executive director Michael McLendon shared his condolences, saying, “At AISA, we are a close-knit family of schools, and our hearts are heavy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Tellier family and the entire Morgan Academy community during this tragic time.”

Caden Tellier was known for his leadership on and off the field, his kind spirit, and his deep faith. The school and the broader community have come together to support his family, offering prayers and condolences. Arrangements for Caden’s funeral service will be made in the coming days, and his family will be surrounded by the love and support of those who knew and cherished him.