SELMA, Ala. — A Selma-area high school football player has died following an injury at a Friday night game, with sources saying the teen suffered a brain injury.
Michael McLendon, Executive Director of the Alabama Independent School Association, identified the player as 16-year-old Caden Tellier, a junior at John T. Morgan Academy. The school's headmaster said Tellier suffered the injury following a tackle in the third quarter of Morgan's game against Southern Academy.
The Selma Times-Journal cited a family statement which later said that Tellier died from his injuries after being flown to Birmingham for treatment.
"Our boy, Caden Tellier has met Jesus face to face,” the Telliers said on social media. “We appreciate all of your prayers and we covet them for the hard days ahead. Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity and love, and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time.
"Lives have been touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved through his passing," they added, indicating that Tellier's organs will be donated.
Senator Tommy Tuberville mourned Tellier's passing on Sunday; in a social media post Tuberville said, "We are heartbroken by the loss of Caden Tellier. Caden was an amazing young man and will be dearly missed. Praying for his family, friends, and the entire Morgan Academy community."
School activities, including next week's football game, have been suspended for next week to allow people the chance to support one another. Classes will be in session Monday, with pastors on-campus to assist students through the grieving process.
Cornerstone Christian, whose volleyball team was to play Morgan Academy in tournament play on Saturday, held a prayer circle event on the court.
"As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply," McLendon wrote. "We ask that our entire AISA family and the people of Alabama join us in prayer for peace and comfort for Caden's family and the Morgan Academy community as they navigate this difficult time."
Tellier's injury comes shortly after another Alabama teen died after collapsing during an afternoon football practice. 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins was given CPR on the field at New Brockton High School, south of Montgomery, before being taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Funeral arrangements for Caden Tellier are pending, family members said. A GoFundMe set up to assist the family with final expenses has raised more than $57,000 as of Sunday afternoon.