An Alabama high school footballer dies after tragedy, the 2nd death in 2 weeks : NPR

The brand new faculty yr has began with tragedy at two Alabama excessive faculties, the place teenage soccer gamers have died prior to now two weeks.

On Friday, Caden Tellier, 16, suffered a extreme head harm whereas enjoying quarterback within the opening sport for John T. Morgan Academy in Selma. His loss of life was introduced the subsequent day.

On the identical day Tellier’s loss of life was confirmed, a funeral was being held for an additional highschool soccer participant, some 115 miles southeast of Selma. Semaj Wilkins, 14, died after having a medical emergency throughout a observe at New Brockton Excessive College.

Caden Tellier died over the weekend

Tellier was “within the hospital in important situation with a mind harm” after Friday evening’s sport in opposition to Southern Academy, in response to a submit from Alabama Impartial College Affiliation Govt Director Michael McLendon.

McLendon didn’t give additional particulars about Tellier’s situation, or how he was injured.

Tellier, a junior who led his group in touchdowns and speeding yards final yr, ran for a landing within the first half of Friday evening’s sport, however he went down with an harm within the third quarter, in response to the Selma Instances-Journal. An ambulance was introduced onto the sphere to take the quarterback to the hospital.

Tellier was “a shining mild day by day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy,” faculty headmaster Bryan Oliver mentioned on Fb. “He was a scholar, a good friend, an athlete and most essential a Christ follower.

At a prayer occasion for the Tellier household on Monday, his father, Jamie Tellier, who’s a soccer coach at Morgan Academy, mentioned his household is grateful for the assist it has acquired.

“The outpouring of affection that we now have acquired from everybody on this room, and folks throughout the nation that we’ve by no means even met, ought to inform you a large number about who my son was — who my son is,” Jamie Tellier mentioned.

Semaj Wilkins died on Aug. 13

Semaj Wilkins joined New Brockton Excessive College’s group after enjoying for Enterprise Excessive College whereas in junior excessive final yr. He was a operating again who may run the ball on the line of scrimmage or roll out to catch a move, as seen in movies on his on-line profile for athletes.

Semaj collapsed throughout a day observe on a sizzling day, with a excessive temperature of 96 levels. Officers referred to as his mom, Regina Johnson-Adams, to alert her.

“I panicked. I grabbed every part I may consider and ran out,” Adams instructed native information outlet WDHN. “And I acquired to that area, and I used to be devastated as a result of they wouldn’t let me get to my child.”

An emergency group took Wilkins to Medical Heart Enterprise, lower than 10 miles away. However he didn’t survive. His highschool held a remembrance ceremony for Semaj one week earlier than its season started.

“Semaj was a younger man who introduced pleasure and inspiration to his friends, teammates, coaches, and college members. His loss shall be deeply felt by everybody who knew him,” Kelly Cobb, superintendent of Espresso County Faculties, wrote on Fb.

Cobb added that the county sheriff’s division and district legal professional are investigating what led to Wilkins’ loss of life, in what was described as a normal process given the circumstances.