MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Six months have passed since Morgan Academy quarterback Caden Tellier suited up for what no one realized would be his last football matchup. An in-game injury took the talented 16-year-old high school athlete’s life and sent shockwaves across Alabama.

Following his death, communities across central Alabama searched for ways to honor Tellier in some way. WSFA 12 News paused our normal voting protocol to name Tellier as the Week 1 Fever Athlete of the Week.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, students, parents, and teachers put on Morgan Academy’s maroon and gold school colors and gathered at a memorial and prayer service in the small private school’s gym. The school later retired Tellier’s No. 17 jersey.

Tellier’s absence was felt Tuesday as the WSFA 12 Sports team gathered for an annual awards ceremony to honor each of the 12 Fever Athletes of the Week. While nothing can bring him back, his memory will live on in multiple ways, including through what will become an annual award for WSFA.

During the ceremony, WSFA Sports Director Rosie Langello and Sports Anchor Davis Baker presented the inaugural Caden Tellier Leadership Award in Tellier’s memory. Caden’s family was in the studio to share in the moment and to accept the honor.

“Living like Caden just really means be you and just let Christ shine through you,” Caden’s father, Jamie Tellier said. “And everything that you do, God’s the one that gave you, all of you, your talent, and just always remember that. Never forget it. And know that always someone is watching you impact somebody by just doing what you do, being you, and letting God shine through you.”

WSFA 12 News will continue to present the award each year to a student-athlete who has shown great leadership qualities and courage on and off the field, just like Caden did.

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