Elon Musk and Tesla Criticized After Charger Fire Nearly Kills NFL Star Randall Cobb and Family

Elon Musk and Tesla are facing severe backlash after a Tesla charger fire nearly resulted in the tragic loss of NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb and his family.

Randall Cobb and his wife, Aiyda Cobb, have shared their harrowing experience, revealing they are “lucky to be alive” after a fire, sparked by their Tesla charger, engulfed their Houston home. The fire started in the garage and quickly spread, forcing the family to escape with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

In an emotional post on Instagram Stories, Aiyda Cobb described the terrifying incident: “Our home in Houston caught fire in the garage and quickly spread,” she wrote, explaining that they had to evacuate without even having time to grab shoes. Miraculously, everyone, including their three children and the family dog, made it out safely.

As news of the incident spread, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage towards Elon Musk and Tesla, condemning the company for almost causing the death of a beloved NFL player and his family.

Tesla’s Troubling Track Record

This incident is not an isolated one for Tesla. In December 2023, Tesla recalled nearly 2 million cars in the US to limit the use of its Autopilot feature after nearly 1,000 crashes were reported with the feature engaged. This recall followed a Washington Post report that detailed at least eight serious accidents, some fatal, involving the Autopilot feature.

Earlier this year, another alarming incident occurred when a 12-volt automobile battery exploded in the kitchen of a North Carolina home, forcing evacuation. The owner of the battery was a Tesla user, mirroring the Cobb family’s frightening ordeal. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident either.

Randall Cobb’s Football Legacy

Randall Cobb, drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft from Kentucky, made his mark in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, where he played ten seasons over two stints. The 33-year-old remains unsigned after spending last season with the New York Jets, though he has not officially announced his retirement, leaving the door open for a potential return.

Throughout his 13-season career, Cobb has amassed 7,624 receiving yards and scored 54 touchdowns, establishing himself as a notable figure in the NFL.

The recent fire incident has brought both gratitude for the family’s safety and renewed scrutiny of Tesla’s safety protocols, highlighting the ongoing concerns about the company’s products and their impact on consumers’ lives

Elon Musk looks on during a talk.