The Coast Guard is currently searching for a missing fishing boat which holds "at least" two NFL players among a total of four passengers, according to a report. The Coast Guard identified the players as Raider linebacker Marquis Cooper (pictured left) and Lion defensive end Corey Smith (pictured right).
At around 1:30 AM ET on Sunday, the Coast Guard was informed by friends of the passengers that the boat hadn't returned from a fishing trip that left early Saturday morning. The boat is suspected to be about 50 miles off the Florida coast.
UPDATE: Nick Schuyler and Will Bleakley, two former football players for the University of South Florida, have been identified as the other two people on the boat.
Lions linebacker Ryan Nece, who between stints in Tampa and Detroit has played with both Cooper and Smith, had this to offer:
"As soon as I heard the news, I felt it like they were people in my own family," Nece said. "Those are two guys I really respect and two guys who are just blue collar good guys. They work hard. They are family guys.Schuyler's father, Stu, is understandably devastated by the news.
"They are simple guys who just like to go out on a boat and just hang out and relax. They are not flashy. They are the opposite of what a football player's image is portrayed to society. They are really good guys.
Schuyler also told 10 Connects the first time his son went fishing with Cooper and Smith was last weekend. That trip lasted fifteen hours.It's unfair to speculate further until more details about the story emerge, but this brings to mind the sad tale of former LSU and Patriot defensive end Marquise Hill, who died of accidental drowning in Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain while visiting home during the offseason in 2007.
"I was worried sick and told him never to do that to me again," said Schuyler. "Now, I'm hopeful but still expecting the worst." Through tears, he added, "[My son is] my life, I don't know what I'll do."
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@iainrobinson goodell's track record on ALL suspensions. It was 4-6 when he imposed it. Time off if he behaves.
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
i lost a neighbor like this. i pray they are found.
"This brings to mind the sad tale of former LSU and Patriot defensive end Marquise Hill, who died of accidental drowning in Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain"
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It most certainly does....I was just thinking of Marquise when I heard this because drowning is the awful common denominator in both stories. What a shame....I am glad they found Schuyler alive. One bright note to an otherwise sad tragedy.
Hopefully not another Bison Dele situation.
NO!!......... Not again.
OMG pray for there souls. May they rest in peace in Davey Jones Locker
Being a Bronco fan, I dislike the Raiders but I sincerely hope these men are found safe and alive. Hopefully they just steered off course and they will be found soon.
to bad
This is got to be hell for their loved ones. Godspeed for a safe return.
geez - what insensitive morons! i hope you and your loved ones are never in this horrific position. while there is no brotherly love on sunday, human lives are more important than football... there is said it, and if you don't get that and think you are oh so clever making fun of this terrible situation, i sincerely pity you.
crzy4dogs...I agree with your concern for these people and certainly hope they are found safe,but what are you reading?I don't see where anybody said anything improper except for you. "Insensitive morons"? Pretty quick to judge others for no apparent reason aren't you?
I live in Miami,in the past two days I heard of this and another person drowned over the weekend,ALL tourist.The seas have been higher than usual the past two days from high winds.People who dont live here dont respect the Ocean and respect comes with fear you should fear the Ocean ( some) or it will get you.On the other side of the coin with the conmy as bad as it is we aren't getting the tourist like we are use to and these charter boat captains are willing to take the risk to pay the bills so your life is YOUR responsibility think when you come here.I hope they are found safe.
Couldn't they swim. Weren't they wearing life jackets. They need to use some common sense going out on the ocean. I'm a pilot and know you have to be prepared.
It's a rare person who could swim to shore from miles out, even with a life jacket. I certainly agree that we need to be prepared for emergencies but when you're in the sea in a small boat, your options are limited. It is not smart to take that kind of chance. Hopefully, they have been found safe as I write.
cricefly, although your lifejacket advice is wise it probably not heeded. As a lifelong deap sea angler myself, many don't wear a life jacket because their too restrictive especially if a big one hits.
it was a very nice day here yesterday on land but offshore i am sure it was very rough and sloppy . to go offshore in a small boat and yes 21 foot is small, was not a smart move. the marine forecast hads to give small craft advisories. having spent alot of time offshore on my boat on the same coast i have been i situations that both myself and vessel were thoroughly tested to the limits. hypothermia will be the main concern at this time as it is quite cool today. my best wishes for the families and all involved.
My thoughts and prayers are with their families.
God bless thier soles and families!
Bring me my tear cup!
Peggy, It is Souls. Dah
A 21' boat is designed to be used on rivers and lakes. Never offshore!