Home of South Alabama signee Da'Marion 'Fluff' Bothwell burns down in Christmas Eve fire

The holidays are often a cheerful time, but for one South Alabama signee, tragedy struck on Christmas Eve.

South Alabama signee Da’Marion “Fluff” Bothwell‘s family home was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Eve, according to a report from AL.com. The good news is that everyone in the family remained safe.

Unfortunately, the family lost everything in the fire.

The Oneonta Police Department posted a statement on its Facebook page describing the damage done.

“Last night, the Bothwell home on Jackson Avenue in Oneonta was completely destroyed by a structure fire and it was a total loss with very little personal property saved. You may recognize the Bothwell name via our hometown football hero, Fluff. This precious family is completely devastated to say the least.”

AL.com provided a contact e-mail for those wishing to support the family, and you can do so by contacting Oneonta High School coach Phil Phillips at [email protected].

The Office of the Chief of Police also provided its sympathies to the family, which was one of two local families to lose their home in a fire during Christmas season.

“I am very close to both of these families as many of you are,” the statement read. “I ask that you do what we always do by way of supporting our brothers and sisters in crisis. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers and help them in any way they may request. I cannot imagine the feeling of being displaced especially during this special time of year.

“Many thanks to the Oneonta Fire Department and other fire departments who assisted in fighting these fires and saving what property they could save for these families.”

Bothwell is a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, ranked as the nation’s No. 1,171 overall prospect by the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checks in as the No. 92 running back in the class and the No. 54 overall player in the state of Alabama, hailing from Oneonta (AL) Oneonta.