Two NFL players are among the 4 boaters who have been missing since Saturday in Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and former Detroit Lions-turned-NFL free agent Corey Smith had joined former University of South Florida football players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler on a deep sea fishing trip. They have not returned as planned, nor has anyone been able to get in touch with them.
Rough weather has made search efforts by boat impossible, so the search is being conducted by air. But Coast Guard Captain Tim Close insists that despite the uncooperative weather, “it’s still a very active search.”
Family members are keeping the faith, especially since Cooper is an experienced and avid fisherman and the craft they were piloting has been billed as “unsinkable.”
USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Will and Nick, as well as the Florida Coast Guard as they continue their search.”
We’d like to echo those sentiments!
[Images via AP Images.]