Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze opened Monday’s press conference with a tribute to Caden Tellier.

Tellier, who played quarterback at Morgan Academy, died Friday of severe brain damage during his team’s game against Southern Academy in Selma.

The 16-year-old junior was airlifted to UAB after suffering an injury after being tackled in the third quarter of the game.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Caden Tellier at Morgan Academy in Selma, and Coach (Jacob) Webb, as they deal with the tragic loss of one of their teammates and a son,” Freeze said. “I just can’t imagine the hardships they’re going through. So our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Morgan Academy Principal Dr. Bryan Oliver said the school will cancel all sports activities for the coming week, including Friday’s scheduled football game at Wilcox Academy.

Morgan Academy held a memorial service in the gymnasium on Monday, with attendees wearing the school colors of maroon and gold.

“We have received an outpouring of love from everyone in this room, from people all over the country,” Jamie Tellier, the teen’s father, told the community gathered in the gym, according to the Associated Press.

“I could tell you a lot about who my son was, who my son is. My son was an exceptional athlete. But what he loved most was talking about Jesus.”

The family wrote the following on social media:

“Our boy, Caden Tellier, met Jesus face to face. We appreciate all of your prayers and we yearn for them for the difficult days ahead. All who know Caden have known kindness, generosity and love and true to his nature, he gives of himself once more. Lives have been touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved by his passing. We will walk beside him in his earthly body in the days ahead, knowing his spirit is rejoicing in heaven.”

Michael McLendon, executive director of AISA, issued the following statement to AL.com Saturday night:

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day that he graced the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most importantly a follower of Christ.

There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family. We will come together and support Jamie, Arsella and Lyla with all our hearts. We also extend our deepest condolences to the extended Tellier family.

I want to thank all the schools and individuals who reached out during this difficult time. Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.