High school football quarterback dies after injury during game

Caden Tellier, quarterback at Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, died from a head injury sustained Friday night during the opening game of the high school football season, his parents confirmed. Arsella Slagel Tellier and Jamie Tellier have published the update in a joint statement on their Facebook page after the private school's encounter with the Southern Academy in Selma.

“Our boy Caden Tellier met Jesus face to face,” the post reads. “We appreciate all of your prayers and ask for them for the difficult days ahead. Everyone who knows Caden has experienced kindness, generosity and love, and true to his nature, he gives of himself once again. His life touched lives, and now lives are being saved through his death. We will walk by his side in his earthly body for the next few days, knowing that his spirit rejoices in heaven.”

Tellier was reportedly flown by helicopter to a Birmingham hospital after being hit in the third quarter. Michael McLendon, director of the Alabama Independent Schools Association, posted on the AISA Facebook page Saturday afternoon that Tellier had died, but that initial update was deleted and replaced with a post indicating the player was in critical condition.

Tellier's parents later confirmed the terrible news in another update.

According to The Montgomery Advertiser, Morgan Academy suspends all school activities the rest of the week.

“We ask our entire AISA family and the people of Alabama to join us in prayers for peace and comfort for Caden’s family and the Morgan Academy community as they navigate this difficult time,” McLendon said in a statement on behalf of the Alabama Independent School Association.

This is the second time this month that an Alabama high school player has died. Semaj Wilkins, a 14-year-old player at New Brockton High, died on August 13 after collapsing during practice.