Corey Smith, Marquis Cooper: NFL Players Missing At Sea
Two NFL players are missing off the Florida Gulf Coast along with two other boaters. The foursome: Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith, Oakland Raiders linebacker Victor ‘Marquis’ Cooper, and former USF players Nick Schuyler and Will Bleakley didn’t return from their Saturday fishing trip.
According to Smith’s agent Ron Del Duca, Smith owns a 21 foot center console boat and he and Cooper had gone on many fishing trips together when they both played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
The four men went fishing at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning in waters off Clearwater, Florida. They were expected to return to the Seminole Boat Ramp later in the day. At 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning the Coast Guard got a telephone call indicating that the men had not returned from their day on the water as planned.
The Coast guard dispatched a 47 foot Lifeboat, Jayhawk helicopters, several fixed wing planes and a cutter to the area. They are currently searching a 750 square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.
Cooper’s truck and boat trailer are still parked at the boat ramp. A 24 hour parking pass is displayed on the front dash, indicating the boaters intended to be back yesterday. See photo below.
According to Schuyler’s father, the four have been working out at the same L.A. Fitness gym. His son had gone fishing with Cooper and Smith for the first time last weekend and had stayed out on the water for fifteen hours, which caused him a great deal of concern.
Check out CNN video report below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASaxhaIHHvE[/youtube]
Related Articles:
- Gisele Bundchen & Tom Brady Married
- Cruz Beckham a Natural Quarterback (Photos)
- Brad Van Pelt, Former NFL Linebacker Dead at 58 (Photos)
- Roberto Alomar Sued By Ilya Dall For AIDS Phobia (Photos, Video)
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2009 Bar Refaeli Cover Photo
- Jamal Anderson, ESPN Analyst Arrested On Drug Charges
- USS Green Bay Will Include Packer Memorabilia
- Rachel Glandorf is Colt McCoy's Girlfriend (PHOTOS and VIDEO)
- Danica Patrick Gets Another Speeding Ticket
Filed under: sports
I created a memorial for Corey. Please visit and leave a message, light a candle, etc.
Henri
i give my deepest condolences to the family of the missing players. it touched my heart very deeply. i feel as if i knew these guys personally. it could have been any of my family members, having a father and brother who love going out fishing on boats. every since i heard about this incident, it’s been on my heart every day. i’m hoping the family can find out something just to have closure. may god bless the families of these guys and find the strength to carry on as life allows us to. may god bless, and my prayers are with you.