Alabama high school football player who passed away after sustaining an injury during a game is being remembered.
SELMA, Ala. (AP) — A high school football player from Alabama, who tragically passed away after being critically injured during a game, was honored at a memorial service on Monday as a compassionate and talented athlete who achieved much in his 16 years of life.
Caden Tellier, a quarterback for Morgan Academy, died on Saturday following injuries sustained during the school’s Friday night game against Southern Academy in Selma. The 16-year-old junior suffered a brain injury, according to a statement from the Alabama Independent School Association.
Students, parents, and teachers, dressed in the school’s maroon and gold colors, gathered in the gym of the small private school for a memorial and prayer service. Tellier’s family sat in the front row during the service.
“There has been an overwhelming amount of love from everyone here, and from people across the country,” said Jamie Tellier, Caden’s father, addressing the community.
“I could tell you so much about who my son was and still is,” Jamie Tellier shared. “He was an outstanding athlete, but what he loved most was talking about Jesus.”
He assured the school’s football players that he would continue to be involved, saying, “Caden wouldn’t want me to stop.”
“Caden was only with us for 16 years, but he achieved so much and loved deeply,” said Tellier through tears.
Caden’s grandmother, Dale Dobbs, whom he called Mimi, shared that he was the second oldest of nine cousins and would often play with the youngest, even when his peers were around. Before his passing, Caden had been teaching his 4-year-old cousin how to throw a baseball, she added.
“We could always count on him when we needed help, and he never accepted money or an allowance for his efforts,” Dobbs said.
Outside the school, flowers, balloons with his jersey number 17, and heartfelt messages were placed in the student parking lot in remembrance of Caden. “Miss U Buddy,” was written in chalk next to a heart.
Football, at all levels from professional to youth leagues, carries the risk of brain injuries, leaving parents and families to weigh these risks against the opportunities the sport provides.
Caden’s parents shared in a social media post that their son would be saving lives through organ donation. Morgan Academy Headmaster Bryan Oliver confirmed that Caden was an organ donor.
“Everyone who knew Caden experienced his kindness, generosity, and love. True to his character, he’s giving of himself one last time. Lives have been touched by the way he lived, and now lives will be saved through his passing,” his parents wrote in the post announcing his death.
The school has canceled all sports activities for the coming week, including Friday’s scheduled football game at Wilcox Academy.
“The story here isn’t just about an injury on the field—it’s about our love for Caden and his love for the Lord,” Oliver said.
