High school football player dies after brain injury during game

SELMA, Alabama (WSFA/Gray News) – An Alabama community is mourning the loss of a 16-year-old high school football player who was hospitalized after suffering a severe brain injury during a game.

Caden Tellier, 16, was a high school football player at Morgan Academy, a private school in Selma, Alabama. He was hospitalized Friday night after suffering a brain injury during a football game against Southern Academy, WSFA reported.

Tellier succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, the school confirmed. The exact nature of the teenager's injuries is unknown.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior,” Dr. Bryan Oliver, the school's principal, said in a statement. “Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he walked the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete and, most importantly, a follower of Christ.”

Oliver also offered support and condolences to Tellier’s family.

Tellier was known for his “kindness, generosity and love,” according to a GoFundMe campaign for his family. His organs will be donated.

“True to his nature, he is giving of himself once again to save the lives of others by donating his organs. His legacy will live on forever and we thank God that we had the opportunity to love him and be loved by him,” the GoFundMe campaign states.

The Alabama Independent School Association, which includes Morgan Academy, released a statement Saturday about Tellier's injury.

“We ask our entire AISA family and the people of Alabama to join us in praying for peace and comfort for Caden’s family and the Morgan Academy community as they go through this difficult time,” said Michael McLendon, AISA executive director.

McLendon also noted that Morgan Academy has decided to suspend all school activities this week to give the community time to come together.

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