College Football Player, 21, Found Dead in House Fire While at Grandfather’s Home for Holidays: ‘He Didn’t Deserve This’

A Georgia college football player is being remembered after authorities said he died in a house fire in suburban Atlanta.

Izaiah Taylor, 21, was home from school for winter break and staying at his grandfather’s residence in Stone Mountain when the fire broke out around 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, family members and DeKalb County Fire Rescue told Fox affiliate WAGA-TV.

When first responders arrived, the home was already engulfed in flames. Taylor was found inside and was pronounced dead at the scene, NBC affiliate WXIA-TV reported.

Taylor played offensive lineman for Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. He joined the junior college team this season after playing for Liberty University in 2024.

“Georgia Military College is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, Izaiah Taylor,” the college said in a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 16. “Our hearts are with Izaiah’s family, friends, classmates, and all those who knew and loved him.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, CBS affiliate WRDW-TV reported.

Taylor’s grandfather, Gregory Edwards, spoke through emotion while reflecting on his grandson’s death.

“He was one of the kindest people you would have ever known. He wasn’t a bully,” Edwards said. “He was a good boy. He didn’t deserve this.”

He added, “What can I say? I mean, that’s not an easy pill to swallow. You know, you don’t bury your grandchildren.”