Caden Tellier, an Alabama high school football player, died Saturday (August 24) hours after suffering a brain injury during his team's home opener for the 2024 season, FOX News reports.
Tellier, a junior quarterback for Morgan Academy, took a blow to the head during the third quarter of his team's 30-22 win against Southern Academy in Selma Friday (August 23) night. The teenager was airlifted to University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from the injuries sustained, on Saturday, Morgan Academy headmaster Bryan Oliver confirmed.
“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 important, a Christ follower,” Oliver told FOX News.
“There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family. We will come together and support Jamie, Arsella and Lyla with our whole hearts. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Telliers’ extended family as well. I want to thank all the schools and individuals that have reached out during this difficult time. Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.”
A statement shared on the Alabama Independent School Association's Facebook page by its executive director Michael McLendon initially claimed the school was dealing with a "tragic loss" before being deleted and replaced with another that stated Tellier had suffered a "tragic injury" and was in critical condition at the time. Tellier was pronounced dead hours after the update was shared.
McLendon confirmed that the school was "suspending" all activities in the coming week following news of Tellier's death in a statement obtained by WSFA sports director Rosie Langello.
“As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply, and the Alabama Independent School Association is here to offer any support and resources to support them as they grieve,” he said.
Tellier was a two-sport athlete, having also played baseball for Morgan Academy and threw for 1,228 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games as a varsity starter in 2023, while also hitting for a .311 average with two home runs and 10 RBIs in baseball last spring.