Alabama high school quarterback Caden Tellier dies after injury sustained on Friday

Morgan Academy quarterback Caden Tellier went down with an injury during Friday’s season opener against Southern Academy, needing to be airlifted to a local hospital. At the time, Tellier was described to be in “critical condition” and remained as such as of noon ET on Saturday afternoon.

At one point, Michael McLendon of the Alabama Independent School Association released a statement saying Tellier had died. Per The Selma-Times Journal, that has since been redacted.

However, Gary Harris of WVUA23 in Tuscaloosa received a message from the Tellier family on Saturday evening, announcing the passing of their son.

‘Our boy, Caden Tellier has met Jesus face to face,” Tellier said via Harris. “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. Arrangements for a service will be made soon.”

Tellier was just 16 years old and was in the beginning stages of his junior year. A traumatic head injury was suffered after being tackled. The game against Southern Academy was finished, with Morgan Academy emerging victorious, 30-22.

However, next week’s against against Wilcox Academy will not take place according to head coach Dr. Bryan Oliver. All of the school’s athletic events have been canceled throughout the week.

“Last night, our school community experienced a situation that most of us have never dealt with. It is important in times like these to lean on each other and to put our faith in the Lord. There are no words to express the range of emotions that you or your family might be experiencing,” Oliver said in a statement via The Selma-Times Journal.

We have made the decision to suspend all school athletic activities including practices and games for next week. We will use this time as a school family to reflect, pray and process all that has happened. We will plan to have school on Monday.

We have arranged for several pastors to be on campus to assist students in a variety of ways. If you feel the need to be with your student outside of school, please do so. Monday will look different for us, but our purpose will be to provide a place for students to feel safe and loved.

“I will continue to update you on any additional changes to our schedule. Please pray for the Tellier family and for God’s overwhelming love to cover them. Everyone at school is here for your child and family. Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us.”