Death of Teen Football Player Brings Revival to Community

September 3, 2024

A 16-year-old high school quarterback who died of a traumatic brain injury sustained in a football game last month has sparked a revival at his school and community.

Church Leaders reports that Caden Tellier had told a youth leader, shortly before the teen athlete’s fatal injury, that he wanted to see a revival in his community in Selma, Alabama.

Last week 600 people gathered at the Cathedral of Christ The King in Selma where Roxanne Jones, Caden’s youth group director, spoke of the teen’s legacy and encouraged high school football players from across the region, to get plugged into a local church.

Amid banners urging people to “Live Like Caden,” Jones told attendees of the event that, “A week ago tonight, Caden said he wanted to see a revival in Selma, and he’s seeing it now,” Jones added, ” Although we can’t be exactly who Caden was, we can live like who God created us to be. But man, we can live like Caden by pursuing Jesus.”

Church Leaders reports that Jones also led a prayer for people who wished to invited Jesus into their hearts and counseled those who already know Jesus to “run after” him with greater passion.

Caden’s parents attended the worship service but did not speak.

The funeral for the teen will be held Sept 4 and a GoFundMe account for Caden’s family has raised more than $114,000 as of Aug. 30.

Photo: top, Credit: Screengrab via Facebook/Christ The King CEC Selma Alabama