The former Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Quentin Moses has died at the age of 33 in a house fire that also killed a woman and child.

Firefighters found Moses unconscious at the house in Monroe, Georgia; he later died in hospital. The fire started around 6am on Sunday morning and also took the lives of Andria Godard, 31, and her daughter, Jasmine, who was 10.

Jason Taylor, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this month, was a former team-mate of Moses in Miami and expressed his condolences on Twitter. “My heart breaks for former teammate and friend Quentin Moses and his family,” wrote Taylor. “Thoughts, prayers and tears! So sad. Life is too short.”

Jason Taylor (@JasonTaylor) My heart breaks for former teammate and friend Quentin Moses and his family. Thoughts, prayers and tears! So sad. Life is too short #RIP

Moses was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2007 draft before spells at the Cardinals and then the Dolphins where he played for four seasons. Following his retirement he had been an assistant coach at Reinhardt University. “You will forever be remembered for your love for the game of football and your love for young adults,” read a statement on Reinhardt University Football’s Twitter account. “Rest in Peace Coach Moses. We love you.”

Moses also had a distinguished career as a player at the University of Georgia. He was named the Bulldogs’ defensive MVP in 2005 when they won the SEC. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Quentin’s family,” the university’s athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement. “We are shocked and saddened by this tragic news. Quentin was an outstanding representative of not only the University of Georgia but also his hometown of Athens. On behalf UGA Athletics, we extend our most sincere condolences to his family.”