An Alabama high school senior died this weekend after suffering a brain injury during his football season opener — and now his community and family are mourning their loss.
Caden Tellier, who local newspaper WFSA reports was 16, was playing for the Morgan Academy football team in their first game against Southern Academy on Friday when he “suffered a traumatic brain injury,” according to GoFundMe and Facebook posts shared by the school . itself and the Alabama Association of Independent Schools.
School principal Dr. Bryan Oliver said, according to AL.com, that the student-athlete’s injury occurred after a tackle during the third quarter of a game in Selma, Alabama.
According to ABC News, the high school student was taken from the field to a local hospital on Friday before his death was announced the next day. Selma Times Magazine described the scene as a “frightening moment” when the teenager was injured, as the game was delayed while he was treated and taken away by ambulance.
Tellier’s parents later shared a statement on social media, according to AL.com, that their son “met Jesus face to face.”
Caden Tellier.
GoFundMe
“We appreciate all your prayers and wish them for the difficult days ahead,” the statement said. “Everyone who knows Caden has come to know kindness, generosity and love, and true to his nature, he gives of himself once more.”
“Lives were touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved by his death,” the family added. “We will walk these few days by his side in his earthly body knowing that his spirit rejoices in heaven.”
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Caden Tellier.
Caden Tellier/Facebook
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The organizer of Tellier’s GoFundMe campaign, Kristen Jones, shared a similar sentiment in a description of the campaign, which as of Monday morning had raised $76,000 of its current $100,000 goal. Jones also mentioned that Tellier was an organ donor.
True to his nature, he once again gives himself to save the lives of others through the donation of his organs, the message reads. “His legacy will live on and we thank God that we had the opportunity to love him and be loved by him.”
“One of the ways we can serve the Tellier family as they grieve this tragedy is to cover all of their many medical expenses, flight and funeral expenses, and time off work,” Jones added. “Thank you for loving this family as they walk this difficult path. Live like Caden.”
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On Facebook, Oliver shared a message with the school community over the weekend, calling the quarterback a “shining light” who “graceled the halls of Morgan Academy.”
He added that “there are no words to describe” how the school community and the Tellier family feel. “We will come together and support Jamie, Arsella and Lyla with all our hearts,” he wrote. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Tellier’s extended family … Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.”
Alabama Independent School Association CEO Michael McLendon wrote in an additional statement on social media that school activities were suspended for the week, giving the community time to “come together, reflect and support each other during this heartbreaking time.”
AISA also offered the school “any support and resources”.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education