NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of Blount County's favorite sons said he and his family are safe after a fire broke out at his Nashville home.
NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb was born in Maryville and played football at Alcoa High School. According to WSMV in Nashville, fire crews responded to Cobb's Nashville home on Tuesday night.
The family and their dog made it out without any injuries, but the home's garage was badly damaged. Crews said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Cobb had nothing but gratitude for first responders, thanking one firefighter who he said risked his life for him and his family.
"I can't get the image of the brave firefighter getting into position out of my head; he didn't even have water to shoot yet. I truly thought the cars were going to explode and that we would lose him to this tragedy," he said. "He is a true hero."
Cobb shared video of the damage to his garage on Instagram.
"Unfortunately we don't know how much, if anything, will be salvageable, but this has been a reminder that nothing is more important than the health of our family," he said. "We are grateful for our incredible community in Nashville, and the support from our close friends that have given us a temporary roof over our heads and shoulders to lean on."
Cobb was a multi-talented athlete in high school, lettering in football, basketball and track. The Alcoa star helped win the team four state championships and was named the Tennessee Titans "Mr. Football" Back of the Year in 2007.
After high school, Cobb went on to play for the University of Kentucky, beginning his freshman year as a quarterback and later switching it up between playing wide receiver and QB. He declared for the 2011 NFL Draft in his junior season and was picked up by the Green Bay Packers in the second round, where he played for several years before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 and then the Houston Texans in 2020. He was later traded back to the Packers before follow Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets in 2023.