Former UGA Player, Woman, Child Die In House Fire

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A man, woman, and child were killed in a house fire early Sunday morning. / Monroe Fire Department

Quentin Moses, a former Miami Dolphins linebacker who played for the University of Georgia, was found dead by firefighters in Monroe, Georgia early Sunday morning. A 31-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter were also found dead at the scene. 

Monroe Fire Department Chief Keith Glass stated that the City of Monroe Fire Department and units of the Walton County Fire Rescue responded to a call at 417 Shamrock Dr. and the residence was engulfed in flames when they arrived. Firefighters found Moses unconscious and moved him outside of the home. He was later declared dead on arrival at Clearview Medical Center. The bodies of Andria Godard and her daughter Jasmine Godard were recovered from the debris of the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Moses was originally drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, but he was cut from the team before the season started. One season later, Moses landed with the Miami Dolphins and played on the defensive line and at linebacker until 2010.

“We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic news involving Quentin Moses,” the Miami Dolphins said in a statement. “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Prior to his NFL career, Moses played at UGA from 2003-06. He was a first-team All-SEC defensive end on Georgia’s SEC championship team in 2005. Moses had a total of 133 tackles and 25 sacks during his college career. He also received many awards, such as SEC player of the week, while he was a Bulldog.

Kirby Smart, UGA head coach, tweeted a statement regarding the passing of Moses. “Very saddened to learn of the tragic death this morning of Quentin Moses. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time,” Smart said. Smart was an assistant coach when Moses was a player at UGA.

Since his football years, Moses had become a coach. He was serving his fifth season with Reinhardt University as an assistant coach. “Obviously our entire program is reeling today from this tragic news,” Reinhardt athletic director Bill Popp said in a statement. “Our biggest concern today is to do anything we can to support Quentin’s family and to provide support and counseling for our student-athletes.”

Community members began leaving flowers and balloons at the scene of the fire Sunday afternoon. Averell Floyd, Andria Godard’s father and Jasmine’s grandfather, told WSB that his family’s faith will get them through this difficult time.

“We’ll get through it,” Floyd said. “God don’t make mistakes.”

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An image of Quentin Moses during his time at UGA. / UGA Athletics