Members of Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Bucs on fishing boat missing in Gulf of Mexico
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From Detroit Free Press:
A member of the Lions is among a group of four boaters the U.S. Coast Guard is searching for off the coast of Tampa after the group did not return from a fishing trip that left shore early Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
Corey Smith, a defensive end who spent the past three seasons with the Lions and is now an unrestricted free agent, was with a group of friends that left shore near Clearwater Pass around 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a 21-foot center console boat, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard is using a 47-foot boat, a helicopter and an airplane to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.
The other two players on the boat were identified as Victor (Marquis) Cooper and Nick Skyler. Cooper and Smith played together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. The fourth person has not been identified.
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said the team was aware of the search, although he could not confirm Smith was the missing Lion.
“We’re aware of the report, and we’re in the process of trying to gather as much information as possible at this point,” he said.
Smith, 29, who also spent the second half of the 2006 season with the Lions, played in 12 games last season and was in the starting lineup for two of them. He finished with 42 tackles and three sacks. He became an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
Smith, a native of Richmond, Va., played collegiately at North Carolina State. He played under former Lions coach Rod Marinelli in Tampa Bay in 2002-04, when Marinelli was the defensive line coach. Smith spent two years with the San Francisco 49ers before he was reunited with Marinelli in Detroit.
A member of the Lions is among a group of four boaters the U.S. Coast Guard is searching for off the coast of Tampa after the group did not return from a fishing trip that left shore early Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
Corey Smith, a defensive end who spent the past three seasons with the Lions and is now an unrestricted free agent, was with a group of friends that left shore near Clearwater Pass around 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a 21-foot center console boat, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard is using a 47-foot boat, a helicopter and an airplane to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.
The other two players on the boat were identified as Victor (Marquis) Cooper and Nick Skyler. Cooper and Smith played together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. The fourth person has not been identified.
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said the team was aware of the search, although he could not confirm Smith was the missing Lion.
“We’re aware of the report, and we’re in the process of trying to gather as much information as possible at this point,” he said.
Smith, 29, who also spent the second half of the 2006 season with the Lions, played in 12 games last season and was in the starting lineup for two of them. He finished with 42 tackles and three sacks. He became an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
Smith, a native of Richmond, Va., played collegiately at North Carolina State. He played under former Lions coach Rod Marinelli in Tampa Bay in 2002-04, when Marinelli was the defensive line coach. Smith spent two years with the San Francisco 49ers before he was reunited with Marinelli in Detroit.
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CDsNuts, 1/9/15
Associated Press
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Updated: March 2, 2009, 6:47 AM EST
The Coast Guard received no distress signal from a fishing boat that disappeared off Florida's Gulf Coast while carrying two NFL players and two former college players.
THE SEARCH
Plaxico VIDEO: The Coast Guard spent Sunday searching the Gulf of Mexico for Corey Smith, Marquis Cooper and two others. Watch a report of their efforts here.
THE SCENE: Marquis Cooper's truck remained parked at the Florida boat ramp from where the party launched. Gerry Fraley reports from Clearwater.
The Coast Guard is searching a wide area for the 21-foot vessel carrying Corey Smith, a Detroit Lions free-agent defensive end, and Marquis Cooper, an Oakland Raiders linebacker. Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, both former University of South Florida players, were also aboard.
The boat was reported missing Sunday, one day after it left Clearwater Pass and did not return as expected Saturday evening as the weather became increasingly rough, with heavy winds and high seas.
Coast Guard Capt. Timothy M. Close said there was no communication with the men even before the weather started to pick up and no SOS call was received.
"That's not to say they didn't send one out," he said. "We didn't receive anything."
The Coast Guard used a helicopter and an 87-foot ship to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass, but poor weather on Sunday made the search difficult.
There was no sign of the men or the boat by Sunday evening. Relatives told the Coast Guard the men had lifejackets and flares onboard.
Cooper owns the boat and he and Smith have been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
Bad weather could be dangerous for a boat the size of Cooper's. The weather early Saturday had been fair, but worsened toward the evening as a front still battering the area moved in. The National Weather Service said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.
Rescuers were searching off of Florida's Gulf Coast near Clearwater. ( / FOXSports.com)
Danielle Mayes, owner of Jaxson's Bait House near the ramp where the men departed, said many of the boaters who returned Saturday evening said they were surprised the water had gotten so rough.
Smith, 29, had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the winless Lions. Smith, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and played college ball at North Carolina State. He lives in Richmond, Va.
Del Duca said Smith is one of the "good guys" of the league and was planning to start visiting teams as a free agent this week. He said he has spoken with Smith's family and is also in touch with Coast Guard officials.
"They've assured me that they're deploying all available resources to look for these guys and get them back," he said.
Cooper, 26, has played five seasons with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers and Raiders. He appeared in 26 games with the Buccaneers in 2004 and 2005, recording 30 tackles. He has played sparingly since as he has bounced between teams, appearing in 13 games and recording 10 tackles. Cooper, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, played college ball at Washington. He grew up in Gilbert, Ariz., and his father Bruce is a prominent sportscaster for KPNX-TV in Phoenix.
Cooper told The Seattle Times in 2002 that one reason he chose Washington was the abundant fishing.
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"I like fighting the fish," Cooper told the newspaper. "And just relaxing out there and being alone and being outside."
Bruce Cooper described his son as an avid fisherman who goes deep sea fishing "any opportunity he gets." The two went deep sea fishing together two years ago.
"I swore I would never do so again," Cooper said in a statement. "I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see land. Needless to say I am very concerned. I am praying and hoping for the best."
Stu Schuyler, Nick's father, said his son had gone fishing with the same group of friends last weekend, apparently en route to a shipwreck about 50 miles offshore where fish are abundant. He said he left his son a message on his cell phone Saturday morning, asking him not to stay out too late because of the approaching storm.
"I'm optimistic," Schuyler said. "But I'm also realistic."
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports. Both teams issued statements saying their thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the missing men and those involved in the search.
CDsNuts, 1/9/15
<< <i>one person has been recovered alive >>
link
TAMPA, Fla. -- A missing boater found clinging to an overturned boat was rescued Monday off Florida's Gulf Coast, but the search continued for two NFL players and another man aboard who didn't return from a weekend fishing trip.
Survivor Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida player, told rescuers that the 21-foot boat was anchored when it flipped Saturday evening in rough seas and that the others got separated from the boat, Capt. Timothy M. Close said. Schuyler, who was wearing a life vest, had been clinging to the boat since then.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, who owns the boat and was aboard, also has been found and is alive, his agent, Troy Asmus, told ESPN.com's Bill Williamson. Cooper's wife also told WTSP-TV in Tampa that her husband has been found alive. The Coast Guard is not confirming the information, however.
Also on the boat were free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith and former South Florida player William Bleakley. The two remain missing.
Television footage showed Schuyler conscious but weak as he was being taken off a helicopter at Tampa General Hospital and placed on a stretcher. The hospital declined immediate comment.
Close said the Coast Guard would search for the three missing men for "quite awhile."
The St. Petersburg Times reported that Schuyler's family has been alerted by the Coast Guard and that Schuyler was found alive and is talking. Schuyler is en route to a Tampa-area hospital.
Asked for a reaction from the newspaper, Stuart Schuyler, who is Nick's father, said: "Like God heard me."
The four left Clearwater Pass early Saturday in calm weather, but heavy winds picked up through the day and the seas got heavy, with waves of 7 feet and higher, peaking at 15 feet on Sunday. A relative alerted the Coast Guard early Sunday after the men did not return as expected.
The Coast Guard had searched about 16,000 square miles of ocean for the Everglades-manufactured boat by Monday morning. Everglades boats are built with compressed foam encased in Fiberglas, which makes them difficult or impossible to sink.
Waves had subsided to 6 to 8 feet, still enough for a small craft advisory, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Barron said.
Cooper and Smith, who were teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004, have been on fishing trips before, according to Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent.
The 29-year-old Smith of Richmond, Va., is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds and had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the Detroit Lions.
Cooper, 26, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, has spent five seasons with five different teams, appearing in 26 games with the Buccaneers in 2004 and 2005, but playing sparingly since. He grew up in Gilbert, Ariz., and his father Bruce is a prominent sportscaster for KPNX-TV in Phoenix.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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I remember reading those survivors of the Indianapolis lasted for a number of days, but I think the ocean water was warmer there.
I read this morning the search was called off. What a tragedy.
<< <i>My first reaction to this story other than sadness, was "what were these guys thinking?". I live a few miles from Lake Michigan and have virtually lived near it for 60 years. The most important thing you learn is to know the waves and the weather conditions before you head out. I can't imagine taking a 21' boat out in a small craft advisory warning. The lake can be very unforgiving and the ocean more so.
I read this morning the search was called off. What a tragedy.
You couldn't be more right about that. I've been out fishing in small boats in the ocean and even in seeming calm weather with water a little bit rough, sometimes a wave hits that scares the chit out of ya. With a small craft advisory warning I would've instructed the boat driver to put it at full throttle and get the yell back to land ASAP.
Long story short, until you feel the true power of the ocean first hand, it's much easier said than done.
<< <i>Sadly, I've got to think that a muscle bound football player, doesn't make for a very good swimmer with stamina with all that body weight - Hopefully a miracle could happen and maybe their lifejacket kept them safely afloat and they haven't died from hypothermia.
I remember reading those survivors of the Indianapolis lasted for a number of days, but I think the ocean water was warmer there. >>
i'd be willing the bet the NFL players didnt know how to swim..
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<< <i>The survivor has started talking. He stated that the two NFL players, Cooper and Smith gave up first then Bleakley soon followed suit. All three of them removed their lifevests and floated off. Bleakley was dilirious from the hypothermia and took off his vest to swim toward a light he believed he saw. >>
that is a very sad ending. they were only two days in. i would of hung on.
<< <i>
<< <i>The survivor has started talking. He stated that the two NFL players, Cooper and Smith gave up first then Bleakley soon followed suit. All three of them removed their lifevests and floated off. Bleakley was dilirious from the hypothermia and took off his vest to swim toward a light he believed he saw. >>
that is a very sad ending. they were only two days in. i would of hung on. >>
until you are suffering from hypothermia in the middle of the ocean, YOU have an absolutely zero percent chance of knowing what you "would have done"
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>The survivor has started talking. He stated that the two NFL players, Cooper and Smith gave up first then Bleakley soon followed suit. All three of them removed their lifevests and floated off. Bleakley was dilirious from the hypothermia and took off his vest to swim toward a light he believed he saw. >>
that is a very sad ending. they were only two days in. i would of hung on. >>
until you are suffering from hypothermia in the middle of the ocean, YOU have an absolutely zero percent chance of knowing what you "would have done" >>
No crap. It's much easier said than done and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.. Even Tinkerbell..
What I went through can't even remotely compare to what the players experienced. Can't even imagine, nor want to, what went through their heads.
RIP
I took a bachelor party fishing trip from Fisherman's Wharf in SF years ago. We went from SF out under the Golden Gate and south along the beach. We were not more than a quarter mile to a half mile from shore. However, the sea was very rough, with 6-10' swells. Our fishing boat was probably a 30-40' boat. It has a strong engine and a full crew. After about 20 minutes of going up and down 6-10' swells [and everyone hanging on very, very tight], the captain nixed fishing in the open ocean and headed back into SF Bay for the rest of the trip [where swells were 2-3']. All I can say is I am very glad the captain headed back into SF Bay. I can not even begin to imagine having boat trouble in the rough seas with people [even in life vests] being pitched into the ocean. A very high probablity that people would have died that day if they got tossed into the water. No way could anyone have swam to shore in the rough seas. The water temperature would have been in the high 50's low 60's [much less than the 68 degree water in the Bulf where the NFL players were] and hypothermia would have happened very fast.
I also remember seeing TV shows on the Discovery Channel about the crab fishermen working boats off of Alaska and remember the ending scenes in the movie Perfect Storm. Do not mess with Mother Nature cuz you will not stand a chance.
Say a prayer for the families of the lost football players. What a sad story.
<< <i>
Long story short, until you feel the true power of the ocean first hand, it's much easier said than done. >>
+infinity.
As someone who has a strong "relationship" with the ocean and has had a few different scary experiences out there, I fear that most people underestimate just how strong of a force it truly is. I've known a few people that have either died or been paralyzed as a result of the ocean ( hate to talk about it so bluntly, but it's the sad truth) , and these are well-experienced "watermen". Please people, know your limits and RESPECT the Ocean.
My brother in law said that there was a moment of silence in honor of former USFer Bleakley, as well as Cooper and Smith, at the USF bball game last night against Cincinnati. My prayers are with all of those involved.
It will be interesting to see where Nick Schuyler is in 5, 10, 20 years knowing that, in so many ways, he truly fortunate to be alive.
/s/ JackWESQ