John T. Morgan Academy’s junior quarterback, Caden Tellier, 16, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024, following a brain injury sustained during a football game in Selma, Alabama. The injury happened in the third quarter of the season opener against Southern Academy on Friday when Tellier was tackled after running with the ball. Despite the incident, Morgan Academy won the match, 30-22.
Following the incident, Tellier was airlifted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries the subsequent day.
The headmaster of the school, Bryan Oliver, confirmed that Tellier had a ruptured blood vessel in his brain following what seemed to be a regular play. He mourned the loss, noting Caden’s firm faith and the positive influence he had on the school community as a scholar, friend, athlete, and devout Christian.
Oliver expressed sympathy with Caden’s family and emphasized the school’s dedication to assisting them in these trying times. He recognized the generous support from other schools and individuals, asserting that Caden’s legacy would live on.
Tellier, a prominent athlete, shone in both football and baseball. In his second-year football season, he threw for 1,228 yards, with seven touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games. During the baseball season, he had a .311 batting average, two home runs, 10 runs batted in, and scored 21 times over 17 games.
On Saturday, Caden’s parents, Arsella Slagel Tellier and Jamie Tellier, posted on Facebook about their son’s passing. They shared that Caden had met Jesus and thanked everyone for their prayers, requesting continued support in the days ahead.
They stated that his kindness, generosity, and love influenced those who knew Caden. In line with his selfless nature, Caden continued to give, even in death, as his life would now save others through organ donations. His parents mentioned that they would spend the next few days with his physical body, comforted by the knowledge that his spirit was rejoicing in heaven.
The Tellier family has received an overwhelming amount of support from the local and wider community. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with medical, life-flight, and funeral costs, raising over $109,000 so far.
The sad passing of Caden Tellier underscores the risks involved in contact sports, particularly football. His death occurred just nine days after the passing of another Alabama high school football player, 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins, who collapsed during practice.
