Tellier leaves impact on Selma
Published 7:54 pm Monday, August 26, 2024
This banner honoring Caden Tellier hangs on the entrance to the Leika's Academy at Church Street United Methodist Church. | Brent Maze, The Selma Times-Journal.
Caden Tellier follows through on a pass in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier looks pass in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier rolls out for a pass in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier looks for a teammate in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier runs the ball for Morgan Academy in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier follows through on a pass in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier looks for extra yardage for Morgan Academy in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier follows through on a pass in his game against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier rolls out of the pocket on a pass pass play against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
Caden Tellier prepares to throw it deep against Southern Academy Friday night. | Doug Horton, For the Selma Times-Journal
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Caden Tellier’s favorite player is Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, so much so that he chose to wear the No. 17 on his jersey with the Morgan Academy Senators.
While 17 is showing up in memorials across town, that number isn’t what Selma will remember about the junior quarterback.
“Caden was not defined by number. He was not defined by Jersey. He was not defined by math class,” said Morgan Academy headmaster Dr. Bryan Oliver during a prayer service Monday. “Caden was defined by his love for the Lord and his ability to spread that like wildfire.”
Tellier passed away Saturday after being critically injured against Southern Academy, He was 16.
Oliver said the impact of Tellier is already being felt at the school and around the community. But it’s his love for life that Oliver will remember the most.
“I don’t know if I ever saw that child (Tellier) not have a smile on his face. I don’t know if I ever saw that child not take care of somebody in need,” Oliver said. “I know that no matter what we do here at Morgan Academy moving forward, Caden’s going to be known for his love for Jesus and his impact on Morgan Academy. And that’s not going to stop y’all. I don’t think you understand. People in South Carolina, people in New York, people in the state of Alabama, people from news outlets all over the country are spreading this story. And the story is not about an injury on the field. The story is that we loved Caden, and he loved the Lord.”
National outlets have been publishing the story of Caden. And it caught the attention of Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze, as he opened his press conference on Monday.
“And our thoughts and prayers really are with the family of Caden Tellier over at Morgan Academy in Selma and Coach Webb as they deal with the tragic loss of one of their teammates and a son,” Freeze said. “Just can’t imagine the difficulty that they’re going through, so our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Caden’s dad, Jamie Tellier, spoke to the Morgan Academy family during the prayer service Monday morning. He said he has seen the hashtag #LiveLikeCaden.
“Well, if you want to live like Caden, you love Jesus, and you put Jesus first and foremost in your life, above everything, above everyone. You have that relationship with Christ,” Jamie said.
During one of the last conversations he had with his youth pastor at church, Caden said that he wanted a revival at Morgan Academy.
“He knew if revival hit Morgan Academy, it was going to be a spark to hit the city of Selma, which was then going to send a spark to the rest of the state of Alabama because if it hits the city of Selma, no one can deny it. God is working in the city,” Jamie said.
Jamie said the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and is thankful for all of the texts, phone calls, messages and love they have received. As of Monday evening, a GoFundMe fundraiser organized by Kristen Jones has raised $94,000.
Morgan Academy also said they are accepting donations at the school and at First Cahawba Bank.
Jamie, who is also an assistant football coach at Morgan Academy, said he’s going to continue coaching the football team because he knows that’s what Caden would have wanted.
“I’m still gonna be coach,” Jamie said. “Caden is not gonna want me to stop doing things. And I hope that you look at me and you be like, can still come to coach Jamie?
“Caden was here for 16 years on this earth. And in 16 years, the impact that he has made, the life that he has lived, there are so many people that don’t get to do a lot of things in 80 years of a lifetime. And my son did everything. In 16 years, he lived life. He laughed. He got to do everything he wanted to do. He accomplished so much. He loved life. I am heartbroken that he is not here anymore.”
