Florida State honors high school RB killed in car accident on signing day

On National Signing Day, a successful one for the Seminoles filled with prized commitments, Florida State did something even better by honoring a high school football player who died in a car crash last June.

Johnny Taylor was a running back at North Marion High School in Citra, Florida. Though the school is only about 30 minutes south of Gainesville, Taylor grew up a Florida State fan and played running back. After Florida State found out about Taylor and his death, the school presented his parents with a scholarship at his funeral, but on Wednesday, the Seminoles did a bit more

The Tampa Bay Times reports that at Taylor’s high school, where some of his teammates were signing their letters of intent like so many other high schoolers across the country, there was an empty seat with Johnny’s name on a placard with a Florida State logo next to it.

His father, Norcolon Taylor, took the stage and his son’s seat at the table. Aside from the placard was Johnny Taylor’s No. 23 jersey, as well as a sign that read, “Gone but never forgotten.”

It certainly wasn’t enough to ease the pain of a family dealing with the loss of their child, but it was a very nice touch by Florida State and the high school to give the Taylor family that moment.