Community coming together to help after fire destroys home of Oneonta football player

ONEONTA, Ala. (WBRC) - The Oneonta community is coming together to help star running back Fluff Bothwell and his family after their home was destroyed in a fire on Christmas Eve.

Thankful they’re safe and still here, the Bothwell family says this minor setback is just another obstacle the family has to go through.

Known for running through defenders, Fluff Bothwell is leaning on his brothers to deal with this tragedy.

“You could tell the spirits of my parents were down and especially my dad. He was walking around and not really joking, just basically had their face in the TV, mom was asleep all day,” said Landon Bothwell.

Oneonta Head Coach Phil Phillips says Oneonta is small, but the community is here for the family in their time of need.

“Right now, that’s the two things we’re going. We’re working on what we’re going to do and where they’re going to stay when we get back. I’m going to come in everyday at twelve, I’m going to come in everyday at five and get everything inside, there’s an awning so even if the doors are locked, it’s protected. We can set things right there at the door and I’ll get them inside and get them to them everyday,” said Phillips.

A tight knit family, the brothers know that material things can be replaced, so they’re making sure the family stays bonded together during this difficult time.

“All we can do is just pray and keep it pushing, material things is material things....hopefully God can pull us through,” said Landon Bothwell.

Fluff Bothwell committed to South Alabama to play football next year, and though he’s excited about that, he says the well being of his family is most important right now.

If you would like to support the Bothwell Family, monetary donations can be made via Venmo to @Leshanda-bothwell. A GoFundMe has also been set up benefiting the family and can be found here.

Donations for the family can be dropped off at Oneonta High School lobby and at the Oneonta Rec Center.

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