Morgan Academy coach Jacob Webb talks about Caden Tellier
Nearly two months ago, Morgan Academy quarterback Caden Tellier tragically died after suffering an injury during the Senators’ season opener. On Friday, Morgan Academy retired his #17 jersey.
We spoke to Morgan Academy football head coach Jacob Webb ahead of the ceremony to learn about Caden’s story.
Interview with Jacob Webb
Julianna Reichenbach, WAKA: “What went into this decision to retire Caden’s jersey?”
Jacob Webb, Morgan Academy football head coach: “We just kind of knew early on we were never gonna let anyone wear his number again. Such a great kid and he’s a great athlete and more than that he was a great kid and a good Christian kid. We just wanted to honor him now while it was still fresh and not let there be a whole lot of time go before we do.”
Reichenbach: “What’s your favorite memory with Caden?”
Webb: “Probably the first time I met him. I came to meet the team and he wanted to know why I didn’t have a playbook with me. He was ready to get it and kinda get going. I went home, IÂ told my wife: ‘This kid is gonna keep me on my toes.’ So I gotta get ready for him but he was just a really hard worker and really cared about everybody. And all the things you hear about the kid, about how great he was. It’s that plus some. So just plenty of great memories with him.”
Reichenbach: “Great quarterback, better kid.”
Webb: “Absoutely.”
Reichenbach: “How has your team reacted to this?”
Webb: “Well, it’s been tough. They lost one of their best friends in playing the game they love. But they’ve played really hard and responded. And the kid that was the backup quarterback has done a really good job, and they were really tight. And Caden did a really good job of making sure he was getting a lot of reps this summer. But they’ve responded. They’ve been more resilient than I probably would’ve been in high school to be honest with you. But you experience a tragedy like that, and you kind of think they may jjust want to shut it down. But I talked to every one of them after it happened, and they all wanted to continue playing. Kind of to honor him. So I’ve been very impressed by them.”
Reichenbach: “That’s amazing. What is Caden’s legacy gonna be for this team?”
Webb: “Just the kind of leader that he was and the man that he was. He cared more about the team than he did himself. And he did everything he possibly for ’em. And he was always looking out for everybody else. He was the first one here, last one to leave. First one on the field, made sure the locker room got cleaned up. Ever since the tragedy, the rest of the kids have picked up that mantle and do things the right way like he did. So he’s gonna have a lasting impact forever, for anybody that’s ever met him and I know I’m a better man for having met him.”
Reichenbach: “Pretty amazing. We’re gonna see all this red tonight for you guys out here, very special moment. Thank you for telling us about Caden.”
