Alabama tragedy: High school QB Caden Tellier, 16, dies after head ...

Aug 26, 2024 10:35 PM IST

A 16-year-old high school quarterback tragically passed away this weekend after sustaining a head injury during a football game.

Alabama quarterback Caden Tellier, 16, tragically died after suffering a head injury a game on August 23. (GoFundMe)

Per WFSA's report, Caden Tellier was on John T Morgan Academy's football team. The unfortunate happened during during the team's first game against Southern Academy on Friday, August 23. The 16-year-old high schooler reportedly “suffered a traumatic brain injury,” according to a GoFundMe fundraiser.

The link, set up by a Kristen Jones, described the teen boy as “best known for his kindness, generosity and love. True to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time to save the lives of others through the donation of his organs. His legacy will live on and we thank God that we had the opportunity to love him and be loved by him.”

Alabama Independent School Association's Facebook post initially informed Caden was “in the hospital in critical condition with a brain injury.” Sadly, school officials later revealed that he did not survive. Numerous reports addressing the case say that Tellier was tackled to the ground during the opening game's third Quarter in Selma, Alabama. He was swiftly taken off the field and transported to a local hospital. His death was announced the next day.

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The young boy's mother, Arsella, wrote in a Facebook post, “Our boy has met Jesus face to face.” Appreciating all prayers sent her way, she added, “Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity and love… and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time.”

According to TMZ, the budding quarterback had 1,228 passing yards and seven touchdowns last season. In addition to being a football star, he dabbled with baseball and recorded a .311 batting average.

Dr Bryan Oliver, John T Morgan Academy's headmaster, said in a statement after Tellier's passing: “There are now 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.” Tellier's GoFundMe campaign further added to his character sketch, saying that the high schooler was an organ donor.

The “In Memoriam” message also read, “He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most important a Christ follower.”

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In the wake of Tellier's passing, Alabama Independent School Association Executive Director Michael McLendon issued another statement, announcing that school activities were suspended for the week so that the community could “come together, reflect and support one another through this heartbreaking time.” The association also offered “any support and resources" to the school.

Caden Tellier's tragedy over two weeks after Alabama's Coffee County School System announced that New Brockton High School student Semaj Wilkins passed away on Tuesday, August 13. Wilkins, also a football player, reportedly experienced a “medical emergency” and collapsed during warmups for practice. He was transported to the hospital before he died.