Alabama Teen Dies After Head Injury During High School Football Game
The Alabama community is reeling from the tragic loss of 16-year-old Caden Tellier, a high school quarterback who sustained a fatal brain injury during John T. Morgan Academy’s season opener on Friday night. The injury occurred during a game against Southern Academy in Selma, leading to an outpouring of grief and support from both the school and the broader community.
Caden was rushed to the hospital in critical condition following the injury, which occurred after a routine tackle. According to Michael McLendon, Executive Director of the Alabama Independent School Association, early reports suggest that a ruptured blood vessel in Caden’s brain may have caused his death. However, the exact details of the incident are still under investigation, and it may take some time before more information is available.
Caden’s parents expressed their deep sorrow while also highlighting their son’s lasting legacy. In a heartfelt statement, they shared, “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 was an organ donor, a decision that his parents believe will continue to touch lives even after his passing. “Lives have been touched by the way he lived, and now lives will be saved through his passing,” they added.
The loss of Caden has shaken the school community deeply. Bryan Oliver, the headmaster at Morgan Academy, described Caden as “a shining light who graced the halls of his private school. He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most importantly, a Christ follower.” The school has since suspended all activities for the week as they mourn this devastating loss.
The tragic event has highlighted the rare but real dangers of high school football. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, there were 16 football-related deaths in 2023, with seven occurring among high school players. Of these, three were due to traumatic brain injuries. Although deaths in football are uncommon, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with the sport.
In the wake of Caden’s passing, the community has rallied together to support his family. A GoFundMe campaign launched to assist with medical and other expenses has already raised more than $76,000, a testament to the impact Caden had on those around him.
As the community continues to grapple with this loss, plans for a memorial service are underway. Caden’s legacy of kindness and generosity will undoubtedly live on, both through the lives he touched and the lives he will continue to save through organ donation.
