Sad news spread through the Georgia Tech athletics department that defensive tackle Brandon Adams had died on Saturday in Atlanta. He was 21 years old.
According to New York Daily News, no other details are known at this time but several published reports have confirmed that Adams collapsed near campus and was taken to Emory University Hospital Midtown. He was later pronounced dead, according to police.
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“On behalf of the entire Georgia Tech athletics family, I offer my deepest condolences to Brandon’s family and friends, including his past and present coaches, and his brothers in the Georgia Tech football family,” Georgia Tech AD Todd Stansbury said in a statement. “As we mourn the loss of such an incredible young life, we are also here to support Brandon’s family and friends, his past and present coaches and his brothers within the Georgia Tech football family in any way that we can. Please join us in keeping Brandon and everyone who loved him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s medical examiner’s office was set to begin an autopsy Monday.
“All of us here at Georgia Tech send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brandon Adams,” Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson said in a statement. “We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
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A native of Brentwood, Tenn., and a graduate of Brentwood Academy, Adams was reportedly a star athlete in high school and played 33 games for the Yellow Jackets between 2016 and 2017. He recorded 41 career tackles and two forced fumbles, the report states.
Adams was reportedly finishing his third year as business administration major.
“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is heartbroken by the news of Brandon’s passing,” Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech football head coach, said in a statement.
“In the short time that I have had the privilege and honor of knowing Brandon, I admired and respected him, first and foremost as a terrific human being, but also as an outstanding teammate and leader.”
Adams is survived by his mother, his stepfather and his sister, Rian.