Wide receiver Randall Cobb, a veteran of 13 NFL seasons, said June 27 that he and his family are “lucky to be alive” after a fire engulfed their home in Tennessee.
Randall and his wife, Aiyda, posted on social media a message to followers and pictures of the fire’s aftermath. According to an Instagram story posted by Aiyda, the Cobbs’ home in Nashville caught fire due to a Tesla charger that sparked in their garage and then quickly spread throughout their home.
Randall, Aiyda, and their three young sons escaped unharmed, with Randall going back to rescue their dog. Randall said he was immensely grateful to the Nashville Fire Department for their assistance and for the support they received from others.
“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. 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.”
The post includes a video of what’s apparently the garage where the fire began and shows extensive damage to vehicles and the garage contents. Also included in the post is a picture of Aiyda and her sons—two toddler-aged and one baby—sharing a bed.
The Cobb family was highlighted during last season’s HBO series “Hard Knocks” as the New York Jets were the featured team. During one memorable episode, Randall and Aiyda revealed to their two oldest sons that there was about to be an addition to the family, as they were getting ready to welcome a third child.
Many in the NFL community replied with words of support for the Cobbs on their Instagram post, including Dallas Cowboy quarterback Dak Prescott posting, “Sending prayer & love.” Former Green Bay Packers teammate Mason Crosby commented, “glad the fam is safe” while Jets teammate Solomon Thomas posted, “So glad yall are safe brotha.”
Others, including former Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and country singer Jessie James Decker—who is the wife of former NFL receiver Eric Decker—also posted words of encouragement.
Randall, currently a free agent, spent last season with the Jets, reuniting him with longtime teammate Aaron Rodgers. However, the two are more than just teammates. Rodgers was part of Randall’s wedding to Aiyda, and the legendary quarterback is also the godfather to their middle son.
Prior to joining New York, Randall spent 10 of his first 12 seasons with the Packers, leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2012 and making the 2014 Pro Bowl. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 532 receptions after being drafted in the second round by Green Bay in 2011. With that year being the one after the Packers won the Super Bowl, they played in the league’s annual kickoff game to start the season. Randall made history by being the first player born in the 1990s to play in an NFL game, and then being the first 90s-born player to score, when he did so in the first quarter.
Randall played college ball at the University of Kentucky, and has since been inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame, but he is considered one of the greatest Tennessee-born athletes of all time due to both his pro accomplishments and his high school exploits while growing up in the Knoxville area.
Randall had just five receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown last year with the Jets, who didn’t offer him a contract to return in 2024. Last month on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Randall was asked about his football future.
“Everybody ages out of this league at some point,” he said. “A matter of when and how. I don’t think anybody ever goes out on their own terms or the way that they want to, but I’m kind of in that position now. If I want to go out on my own terms, I can. And I’ll be happy.
“I haven’t made any kind of decision, but also, somebody’s got to want you.”
