A high school quarterback in Alabama has died after suffering a brain injury during a football game on Friday night.
Caden Tellier, a junior, suffered a brain injury while making a tackle during the third quarter of Morgan Academy’s first game of the season against Southern Academy, according to Michael McLendon, the executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association. He was taken off the field and to a local hospital in critical condition, but his death was announced Saturday.
“There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family,” Dr. Bryan Oliver, headmaster for Morgan Academy, said in a statement. “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.”
All school activities are suspended this week at Morgan Academy, McLendon said.
“Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity and love, and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time,” the Tellier family said in a statement. “Lives have been touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved through his passing.”
Caden Tellier, a high school quarterback at Morgan Academy in Selma, Ala., died after suffering a brain injury on a tackle during a game on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Courtesy of Morgan Academy
Morgan Academy, located in Selma, has just 339 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply,” McLendon said. “We ask that our entire AISA family and the people of Alabama join us in prayer for peace and comfort for Caden’s family and the Morgan Academy community as they navigate this difficult time.”
Tellier threw for a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown in the first half before the injury in the third, according to the Selma Times-Journal. Morgan won the game 30-22 in what was also the debut for the team’s new head coach.
“I want to thank all the schools and individuals that have reached out during this difficult time,” McLendon said. “Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.”
ABC News’ Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.
Tragedy struck a high school football team in Alabama as their star quarterback passed away following a severe brain injury sustained during a game. The young athlete, who had dreams of playing college football and beyond, was just 17 years old when the incident occurred.
The game was intense, with both teams giving it their all in hopes of securing a victory. In the fourth quarter, the quarterback dropped back to pass and was hit hard by a defender as he released the ball. He was immediately taken out of the game and evaluated by medical staff on the sidelines.
Despite showing signs of a concussion, the quarterback insisted on returning to the game to help his team secure the win. However, just moments later, he collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital.
Doctors worked tirelessly to save the young athlete, but unfortunately, the brain injury was too severe. The community mourned the loss of a talented player and a beloved member of the high school.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of playing contact sports, especially football. Concussions and other head injuries are all too common in the sport, and it is crucial for players, coaches, and parents to be aware of the risks involved.
In recent years, there has been a growing concern over the long-term effects of head injuries in football players. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma, has been found in many former NFL players and has raised questions about the safety of the sport at all levels.
In response to these concerns, many organizations have implemented new safety protocols to protect players from head injuries. These include stricter rules on tackling techniques, improved helmet technology, and increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussions.
Despite these efforts, tragedies like the one that befell the high school quarterback from Alabama serve as a sobering reminder that more needs to be done to protect athletes from the dangers of head injuries in sports. It is essential for players, coaches, and parents to prioritize safety above all else and to take every precaution necessary to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.
