Selma, Alabama – A tragic incident occurred on Friday night during a high school football game that resulted in the death of 16-year-old quarterback Caden Tellier. Caden sustained a serious brain injury after being tackled during the third quarter of his team’s first game of the season against Southern Academy. He was rushed to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where he sadly passed away the following day.
According to school officials, Caden collapsed after walking to the sidelines, and he was first taken to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to U.A.B. hospital for further treatment. The headmaster of Morgan Academy, Bryan Oliver, expressed deep sorrow in an email, stating that Caden was “a shining light every day he graced the halls” of the school. Caden was not only a standout quarterback but also a member of the school’s baseball team and had been selected for a leadership program at the University of Alabama.
This match marked the debut game for Carson Webb, the new football coach and athletic director. Prior to the game, Webb had highlighted Caden’s importance as a team leader and discussed the team’s goals for improvement throughout the season. The match was briefly paused for Caden’s treatment but later resumed, with Morgan Academy winning the game 30-22.
Statistics from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research noted that 2023 has seen 16 football-related deaths across various leagues, including high school. Some of these fatalities were attributed to traumatic brain injuries sustained during games. Studies have shown that tackle football players endure more collisions than those playing flag football, raising concerns about player safety.
The community is now mourning the loss of a vibrant young athlete as tributes pour in for Caden Tellier, a player whose passion for the sport defined his brief but impactful life.
