Percy Harvin only spent two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, but there are many who still remember his time with the team fondly.
The 22nd overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Harvin was tabbed by some draft scouts as the next big thing heading into the NFL out of Florida.
A 5-foot-11 speedster (he ran the 40 at the NFL combine in 4.41 seconds), many envisioned Harvin filling a similar role as New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara or San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey — a game-breaking athlete who could hit a home run out of the backfield or lined up outside the tackles.
Harvin spent four years in Minnesota before moving on to the Seattle Seahawks for a season-and-a-half. Harvin closed out the 2014 season with the New York Jets before landing with the Bills in 2015.
In seven games with Buffalo, Harvin totaled 21 catches on 34 targets for 224 yards and one touchdown.
Harvin’s Family Reeling After Personal Tragedy
Since retiring from the league after the 2016 season, Harvin has lived a relatively quiet life, staying out of the headlines and enjoying his post-football life.
But that all changed on Friday morning when it was reported that Harvin’s Florida home had caught fire on Thursday night.
“Crews didn’t see flames when they arrived,” TMZ reported. “They entered the home, smelled smoke, and were then alerted that a fire had started on the roof.
“… No residents or firefighters were hurt … however, the house suffered smoke and water damage, while the roof sustained extensive damage. Currently, investigators believe that a mechanical failure was the cause of the blaze.”
Video of the house engulfed in flames emerged on social media on Friday morning. No injuries were reported, and it’s believed neither Harvin nor his family were home when the fire started.
“I can confirm that the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a structure fire at that residence yesterday evening,” a law enforcement spokesperson told TMZ.
“Alachua County Fire Rescue responded and handled the incident while we assisted with evacuating nearby residences and closing the roadway.”
NBA’s Erik Spoelstra Also Lost Home to Fire
Just last week, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra lost his South Florida home to a fire. The NBA champion’s five-bedroom house reportedly burned to the ground.
According to ESPN, more than 20 units were dispatched to the scene. The fire was called in around 4:30 a.m. and finally contained around 8 a.m.
Fortunately for Spoelstra, neither he nor his any of his three kids were home when it happened. The 55-year-old coach was on a flight back from Denver when the fire started.
“Things in the house, those things can be replaced,” Spoelstra said. “And if they can’t be replaced, what does it really matter? This is really what matters. Family, the closest ones, our dog also was safe, thank God. We’re just grateful. We’re grateful that everybody is safe and in a great place.”
Though the Heat told Spoelstra he could take time away to deal with the tragedy, he didn’t miss any games.
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