Super Bowl Champion Javian Hawkins Arrested After Fiery Incident in Florida

It sounds like something out of a crime drama, but the facts are stark: former Los Angeles Rams running back Javian Hawkins was arrested in central Florida on suspicion of deliberately setting fire to property at a local landscaping company. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 15, 2026, left three work‑truck pickups and part of a building smoldering before firefighters pulled the flames under control.

According to FOX 35‑Orlando, police responded to a call from Tropic Care of Florida around 2 a.m., finding the scene ablaze and a handful of on‑lookers already gathering. Brevard County Fire Rescue arrived quickly, dousing the flames and securing the area while investigators began piecing together what happened.

Surveillance footage, eyewitness statements and physical evidence pointed to Hawkins, 27‑something, as the prime suspect. The video appears to show a man in a dark hoodie slipping onto the company’s lot, pulling a gasoline container from a work vehicle, and then dousing three pickups before igniting them. The exact motive remains unclear, but the police report lists a string of serious charges: armed burglary, arson of a structure or business, three separate counts of arson and felony criminal mischief.

Hawkins was taken into custody the next day, July 16, at a nearby residence. He has not yet entered a plea, and authorities are still gathering details. As the case develops, it’s worth remembering that the former athlete’s football résumé is not what one would expect from a typical arson suspect.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Hawkins earned All‑ACC honors at the University of Louisville, racking up 1,525 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. After going undrafted in 2021, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent, spent a brief stint on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad and eventually landed on the Rams’ roster for the 2021 season—a year that culminated in a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Whether he contributed on the field during that championship run is debatable, but the NFL does list him as a Super Bowl champion.

His professional career never really took off; after a few practice‑squad stops, Hawkins was out of the league by 2023. Since then, he’s kept a low profile, working various jobs to stay afloat. The recent allegations have thrust him back into the public eye, but this time for far less flattering reasons.

Legal experts note that arson charges, especially when combined with armed burglary, can carry hefty prison sentences—potentially decades behind bars. The case will likely hinge on the video evidence and whether prosecutors can prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

For now, the community around Tropic Care of Florida is left to pick up the pieces, both literally and figuratively. The company reported significant damage to equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars, and employees are understandably shaken. As the legal process unfolds, the story serves as a sobering reminder that fame and past glory do not shield anyone from the consequences of serious criminal conduct.