A community in Alabama, is coming together to mourn one of their own this week after a 16-year-old football player lost his life. The young man died after suffering a brain injury during the team's first game of the season, leaving his family and school reeling.
In the last 10 years or so, more people have spoken out about the dangers of playing football. Injury, and more specifically, brain and head injuries, have been associated with the game, with medical professionals actively trying to discourage parents from allowing their children to play as a result.
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It was the team's first game of the football season.
Sixteen-year-old Caden Tellier was the quarterback for the John T. Morgan Academy football team in Selma, Alabama. It was the team's season opening game against Southern Academy. According to multiple news outlets, Tellier suffered a brain injury during the game and died from his injuries the next day.
Tellier's injury was a shock for the whole community.
Reporting about the game, The Selma Times-Journal called the incident a "scary moment occurred in the third quarter when Tellier went down with an injury." It added that the "game was delayed while they treated him and then was taken to the hospital by ambulance from the field."
Headmaster Dr. Bryan Oliver shared a message with the school community on Facebook writing, "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete and most important a Christ follower."
"There are no 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. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Tellier’s extended family as well. I want to thank all the schools and individuals that have reached out during this difficult time. Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.”
His family has released a statement about his death.
AL.com shared a statement from the Tellier family on social media, sharing the news of their son's death.
"Our boy, Caden Tellier has met Jesus face to face. 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. We will walk out these next few days alongside him in his earthly body knowing that his spirit is rejoicing in heaven," the statement reads.
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The community is coming together to support the Tellier family through this difficult time.
A GoFundMe has been started for the Tellier family, and has raised more than $87,000 of its $100,000 goal in only a few days.
"Caden is 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," the page reads.
"One way we can minister to the Tellier family as they grieve this tragedy is to cover all of their many medical, life flight, and funeral expenses and time out of work. Thank you for loving on this family as they walk this difficult road. Live like Caden," it concludes.
All school activities have been suspended in light of Tellier's death.
In a statement on social media, Alabama Independent School Association Executive Director Michael McLendon shared that Morgan Academy would be suspending activities for the week, allowing the school community time to "come together, reflect and support one another through this heartbreaking time." He also offered "any support and resources" needed to get through the trying time. Funeral arrangements are still being made.
