Cowboys LB Rolando McClain loses $1.5 million Alabama home in massive fire

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Less than 48 hours after linebacker Rolando McClain helped the Dallas Cowboys clinch the NFC East, his Alabama house burned down.

Authorities and the fire department were called McClain's home on Lake Tuscaloosa shortly after 6 p.m. Monday night, where flames were already engulfing the 7,500 square foot house. No one was home at the time.

Witnesses told police they saw a car speeding away from McClain's neighborhood, prompting police to utilize crime dogs to determine if an accelerant was used to ignite the blaze. A description of the vehicle has not been given to the public.

The 25-year-old linebacker is in the midst of a career year for the Cowboys. After repeated legal troubles, including a resisting arrest charge, the former first round draft pick fell out of favor around the league, first getting cut from the Raiders and not even making it to training camp with the Ravens when they picked him up in April 2013. McClain sat out the entire 2013 before eventually finding a home in Dallas for the Cowboys' 2014 campaign. Through 13 games played in 2014, McClain recorded 81 combined tackles, one sack and two interceptions, en route to the Cowboys' surprise 2014 NFC East title.

"It can't be real!" McClain tweeted in his only public statement since the fire, adding "To much of my 'history' in that house for it to be gone."

McClain has since deleted his Twitter account.

Another pic of Rolando McClain's Lake Tuscaloosa home engulfed in flames taken earlier this evening. #fox6wbrc pic.twitter.com/036ZI4U46p

— Josh Gauntt (@joshg_TV) December 23, 2014

PIC of Lake Tuscaloosa house fire. Working to get more details. #fox6wbrc pic.twitter.com/ibkVj4pTfT

— Josh Gauntt (@joshg_TV) December 23, 2014

Lake Tuscaloosa Home that burned belongs to Rolando McClain per TCSO. #fox6wbrc pic.twitter.com/1vtssP51c7

— Josh Gauntt (@joshg_TV) December 23, 2014