Vigil held for Prosper, Texas teen killed in car crash

PROSPER, Texas — A large number of friends and family gathered outside Children's Health Stadium in Prosper to remember the young man killed on Texas roads this week.

Caden Clay, 19, died in a car accident near Longview. Clay, who lived in Prosper and went to Prosper High School, was headed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he goes to college.

The University of Alabama sophomore was studying sports management and was an equipment manager for the Alabama football team.

“I just got the message that he's gone. It was heartbreaking, it was terrible,” said his uncle JT Grubbs.

Clay was described as a highly motivated, kind and very gifted young man.

“He's probably the most unique 19-year-old you'll ever meet. He was extremely intentional in everything he did,” said his aunt Melissa Grubbs.

His high school football coaches said Caden or “Slick Willie” always wanted to be the equipment manager at the football powerhouse. Coach Devin Lemons said if Caden commits to something, he's destined to get it.

“You couldn't outwork him. He had the best outlook and the most positive attitude toward life,” Coach Lemons said.

Last week, Caden brought lunch with coaches Ty Lenard and Lemons before leaving for Alabama for summer camps. The coaches are heartbroken knowing these would be the last moments they would share.

“I have two little girls and the only sons I have are my players. So being able to hug a son, I can't replace that,” Lenard said.

Some hats and shirts reading #BEACADEN are being sold across the city. The family tells WFAA that Caden relied so much on his faith and it's what separated him from his peers.

“I can't think of anything else that anyone would want to become Caden. This young man was incredible,” Grubbs said.

Alabama Football dedicated a social media post expressing condolences to the Clay family.

The family tells WFAA that legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban and his family sent a bouquet of flowers to Prosper's family home. Meanwhile, the high school he attended and City Hall were lit up crimson in Caden's honor.