Caden Tellier: GoFundMe campaign raises nearly $90,000 after death of young footballer

Following the death of 16-year-old Morgan Academy quarterback Caden Tellier, community members donated nearly $90,000 to a GoFundMe account to help Tellier's family with funeral and medical expenses.

Tellier suffered a brain injury during the third quarter of Morgan's game against Southern Academy on Friday. The teenager was airlifted to a Birmingham hospital for treatment, where he died Saturday morning.

“Our son, Caden Tellier, has met Jesus face to face,” his parents, Arsella Slagel Tellier and Jamie Tellier, wrote on Facebook Saturday afternoon. “We appreciate all of your prayers and look forward to them in the difficult days ahead.”

After his death, Kristen Jones set up a verified GoFundMe account to cover his medical bills and funeral expenses.

More: Caden Tellier's GoFundMe campaign

“Caden is best known for his kindness, generosity, and love. True to his nature, he is once again giving of himself to save the lives of others by donating his organs,” the GoFundMe states. “His legacy will live on and we thank God for the opportunity to love and be loved by him.”

As of this writing, the GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $90,000 since Saturday, far surpassing its initial goal. At least 18 individual donors have given $1,000 or more. The family has opened a separate “Live Like Caden” bank account with First Cahawba Bank in addition to the GoFundMe campaign.

Information on how to contribute to the Tellier family fund can be found through GoFundMe or the John T. Morgan Academy Facebook page.

Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X @sarahgclifton.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Donors give nearly $90,000 after Alabama teen football player dies