Alabama High School Football Player Dies from Brain Injury Sustained During Game
Alabama High School Football Player Dies from Brain Injury Sustained During Game
A high school football player has tragically died following a brain injury sustained during a game on Friday night, as confirmed by his school and family.
Quarterback Caden Tellier, 16, was injured during a tackle in the third quarter while playing for John T. Morgan Academy, a private school in Selma, Alabama, against Southern Academy.
His mother, Arsella Slagel Tellier, shared on Facebook Saturday, “Everyone who knew Caden experienced his kindness, generosity, and love. True to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time.” She added, “His life touched many, and now, through his passing, he will save lives.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the tackle remain unclear. A GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral expenses, which has raised $75,000 of its $100,000 goal, indicates that Tellier passed away from a “traumatic brain injury.” The page also notes that Tellier was an organ donor.
Dr. Bryan Oliver, headmaster of Morgan Academy, expressed the school's grief in a statement to NBC affiliate WSFA in Montgomery: “There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family.” Morgan Academy has approximately 350 students.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Caden Tellier's passing. Caden was a devoted follower of the Lord and a beacon of light during his time at Morgan Academy," he said.
Michael McLendon, executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association, supported the school’s decision to cancel all classes and activities this week, allowing the community to unite, reflect, and support one another during this difficult time.
"As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this loss profoundly," McLendon noted. The school serves 339 students, according to its website.
Tellier's death adds to a troubling pattern of high school football-related fatalities. In 2022, a player in West Texas died from a head injury, while in 2021, a student died during football practice in Florida, and a 15-year-old collapsed and died during practice in Georgia.
