Alabama high school football player dies after suffering head injury in game

Aug. 25 (UPI) -- An Alabama high school football player is dead after sustaining a head injury during his team's season opener Friday night, the boy's parents reported on social media.

Morgan T. Academy quarterback Caden Tellier, 16, died Saturday after suffering a brain injury in the Selma private school's home opener Friday night, his family confirmed on social media.

"Our boy, Caden Tellier, has met Jesus face to face," a post from the boy's parents, Arsella Slagel Tellier and Jamie Tellier, said in a post on Facebook.

"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."

John T. Morgan Academy Headmaster Bryan Oliver also confirmed the teen's death on Facebook.

"There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family," he said in a statement while describing Tellier as "a student, a friend, an athlete and most important a Christ follower."

"We offer our deepest sympathy to the Tellier's extended family as well."

Tellier was injured during the third quarter of a game between Morgan and Southern Academy, according to the Montgomery Advertiser , which reported that the teen was then airlifted to a Birmingham hospital.

In response, John T. Morgan Academy has canceled all school activities for the week.

The Alabama Independent School Association issued a statement supporting the academy's decision and to offer condolences.

"As a small school Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply, and the Alabama Independent School Association is here to offer any support and resources needed to support them as they grieve," AISA Executive Director Michael McLendon said in the statement.