Heather and Steve Herndon hope lightning doesn't strike twice.

Becky Stein / Special (ENLARGE)

Steve and Heather Herndon at their Dacula home.

Becky Stein / Special (ENLARGE)

A game ball on the shelf in the home theater room refers to a Steve Herndon's football career.

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The couple fell victim to a sudden summer storm last year that set their Dacula home on fire. A neighbor rescued the family dogs while the Herndons were at work.

Fast forward to now. They have rebuilt and are happily enjoying their "new" home.

"It's hard when you have to move into the same house twice," Heather Herndon said recently. "It makes me think of everything differently. We worry a little more."

The couple are installing a doggie door so their labradors, Lily and Shelby, can get in or out as needed.

Lightning struck the top peak of the house on June 5 and burned through the attic and guest bedroom.

The couple gush about the work of the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

"They protected our furniture. They even apologized for having to break down the door," Heather said in disbelief.

Keith Vencill of Emergency Flood Services restored the fire- and water-damaged parts of the home.

The water used to extinguish the fire traveled as far as the basement, but Steve's closet of football memorabilia was spared. Steve is a former offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons.

Steve, 30, played for the Broncos for four years and returned to Atlanta where he played for two years before retiring.

Steve is now working on his certification to become an addiction counselor. Heather, 29, works in medical sales and is a real estate agent on the side.

Life after football

Born in LaGrange, the football star attended Troup High and was captain of the UGA football team. After the NFL, Herndon appeared in a music video with childhood friend and rapper Bubba Sparxxx.

"It was always Steve's dream to retire in Atlanta," Heather said. So they bought a home near the Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, which also puts them close to Athens for UGA games.

Now that football isn't the center of his life, Steve is adjusting.

"I miss the competitive camaraderie. I thought that's who I was, but that's just a part of me," Steve said.

Ever the sports fans, the Herndons enjoy hosting football- and basketball-watching parties in their newly restored basement.

"We're just sports people," said Heather, adding that they met at the University of Georgia.

The basement includes an exercise room — nicely stocked for a former top athlete — and a pool table. There's also a small kitchen with granite countertops similar to their kitchen upstairs.

The main kitchen, which features antique stained cabinets and granite counters, gets a lot of use.

"She's a wonderful wife ... a great cook. I'm a griller, and together we make a great combo," Steve says with the enthusiasm of a newlywed.

House Highlights:

• 4,300-square-foot home, four bedrooms and a study.

• The home has five bathrooms, including the basement bath which features a urinal — just like a locker room. (His wife relented on that point. "You know how hard I had to fight to get the urinal?" he said laughing.)

• A soundproof basement with theater room, home gym and game area.

Do you have a tip or a nomination for Private Quarters? Email writer Chris Reinolds (creinolds@ajc.com) or call her at 770-326-8958.