TAMPA, Fla. - February 2009, former University of South Florida football players Nick Schuyler and William Bleakley, along with Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and former Buccaneer Corey Smith, left the Clearwater Marina for an offshore fishing run. A Coast Guard boat approaches Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player, as he sits on a capsized boat March 2, 2009 in the Gulf of Mexico (Campbell/U.S. They find only one man -- Nick Schuyler -- sitting on top of the overturned boat. While he had the chance to attend Arizona State University as his grandfather worked in the universitys athletic department, Cooper decided instead to take his talents to the University of Washington in 2000 and transitioned to linebacker. "I think he is aware of what happened to his friends," Rumbak said. I don't think it's fully hit him yet." Carter II's journey from West Point to NFL, Dad of player lost at sea calls survivors story crock of bull, Aaron Rodgers has concluded his darkness retreat, Lamar Jacksons camp leaks some information to Stephen A. Smith, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, Darkness retreat over, decision time arrives for Aaron Rodgers, Michael Irvins lawyer is mad as hell that Marriott refuses to produce surveillance video, Former Chiefs teammates rip LeSean McCoy, defend Eric Bieniemy, Tua Tagovailoa turns to Judo to avoid head injuries when falling, XFL 3.0 debuts to significantly lower ratings than XFL 2.0, Schuylers account is an untrue, self-serving story. Two of the boaters play in the NFL; the other two are former college players. The fact that no bodies were recovered means that no evidence of instant or gradual death ( or foul play) was available for analysis. Based on how the men died, it makes sense why he didnt want to talk to the family. A hobby? I wonder what all the other pages say. He was an offensive . Teammates remember fallen Navy football player Brian Bourgeois, who died this week from injuries sustained from a SEAL training accident. Either come up with PROOF that you KNOW what happened, or LET IT GO. Dude, you cannot put a time frame on how someone grieves at the loss of a loved one, especially a child. He was released just before the start of the 2006 season, on September 2. Cooper signed with the Minnesota Vikings on September 5, 2006. One wonders if it was your kid, you would simply believe the story of the lone survivor or would you do you own investigation. It just doesnt get any more disrespectful on his part. The Steelers waived him on December 5. Cooper was signed by the Seattle Seahawks on December 12. Nick Schuyler just seems like so many other sketchy guys Ive known that I am inclined to NOT believe him. He graduated with a degree in sociology and was a member of the Pac-10 All-Conference team in 2003. How could he know for a fact if he wasnt there? "The boat has not been recovered. 1 thing when you're out there is, you have to respect the water," he said. Cooper was signed by the Oakland Raiders on November 5, 2008, after linebacker Robert Thomas was placed on injured reserve. THAT is insensitive, and incredibly stupid. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may be heading out Wednesday to recover the boat. Register now! Andres Escobar (Colombia) The death of Colombian star, Andres Escobar, was shocking news to the football world in 1994. OMAHA, Neb. This Cooper fella has no identity other than through his son. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. They couldn't stand the disappointment and gave up fighting, Stockdale said. Hes absolutely right, no way it went down like that. He isnt bashing Nick. But was it really a miracle. Schuylers account is very suspicious. An updated autopsy revealed that former Grand Valley State QB Cullen Finnerty had CTE, the brain disease that has been found in a number of ex-football players. The alternative theory is that once the survivor got on top of the hull, he refused to give up his position and the other two became too weak to climb out of the water and expired. So does psychology. After being released by Seattle ahead of the 2007 season, Cooper rejoined the Steelers and had two stints with the team that season with a run with the Jacksonville Jaguars sandwiched in between. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Idiopathic hypertropic cardiomyopathy sustained during game vs. Internal injuries sustained during game vs. Spinal cord injury sustained diving into a swimming pool. The same e-mail added that, "It might be worth considering getting the story out to media earlier than later more people on the lookout both on land and water." When their boat flipped over, they could - and should have been rescued - with plenty of time to spare. 4:08. Why write a book about that? The cadet, identified as Hunter Brown of Lake . Without question, a feeling of helplessness is one of the greatest dangers in survival situations. It was a sudden accident and I feel for his loss, but he doesnt have the right to defame folks. Then focus on a few low cost/high impact choices that can save your life. Its not going to bring his son back. Especially in the water, muscle isn't really an advantage. [6] The four men left Clearwater Pass on February 28 at 6:30a.m. and were expected to return later that night. Football Players Who ALMOST DIED KickFlix 812K subscribers Subscribe 105K 12M views 1 year ago #Neymar #CristianoRonaldo #LionelMessi Cristiano Ronaldo.. Lionel Messi.. Neymar and more almost. He became a free agent in the 2008 offseason. But these aren't your usual fishermen. Fifth year Ottawa Gee-Gees defensive lineman Francis Perron died Saturday, shortly after his team's 11-10 loss to the University of Toronto Blues. But Schuyler knows his friends are lost, he added. Do they know the truth? "He didn't want his mother to come to his funeral," the doctor says. And about a million others. Scott Miller, a friend of the college teammates, said Schuyler told him that a chopper shone a light directly above them the first night. I believe he is BLAMING the survivor. Cooper and Smith became non-responsive and separated from the vessel between 5:30 and 6:30 the morning of March 1, and Bleakley became non-responsive and separated about 24 hours later, which was less than six hours before Schuyler was rescued. Maybe Coopers dad is wrong about calling the whole book a crook of bull but dont think for one second that Schuylers book isnt a vast exaggeration of the truth. FILE - Floodwaters slowly recede in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in Lafitte, La., Sept. 1, 2021. Aron Ralston. Marshall: 37 members died in an airplane crash (1970). Marquis Cooper was extremely passionate about the sea and sea life, a passion that began when he was a youngster in Arizona. They also sent them text messages, stating that, "the CG is looking for you request you to contact us immediately." Quarterback Jon Kitna, a former teammate with the Lions the past three seasons, said you never expect something like this to happen to someone you know. The truth is, Bruce Coopers comments are more about a fathers grief than a serious analysis of what happened on that fishing trip that went horribly wrong. I truly feel for him and his family, butwhat an idiot. Unitl then you ought to shut up abuot a subject you obviously know nothing about . The Coast Guard ended its three-day search for the men Tuesday at sunset, dashing hopes they might be found after rescuers plucked Schuyler from the Gulf of Mexico a day earlier. [10], On March 25, 2009, a report was released based on a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation into the capsizing; the investigation included interviews with Schuyler (the survivor) and an inspection of the boat. But the waves were powerful, and after Cooper and Smith were separated from the boat, the college teammates tried to hang on. I think it is perfectly logical to assume that this guy did everything he could to save his friend. A few hours later, a second boater started throwing punches, took off his vest, and dove into the ocean, never to be seen again. I truly feel for him and his family, butwhat an idiot. . It adds controversy to a terrible situation. Supposedly, the three friends were supposed to rotate sitting on top of the hull to get out of the cold water. to attack his version of the events seems like a last act of desperation to hold onto his son. It was Bleakley who swam underneath to retrieve three life jackets he could find, along with a cushion, a groggy Schuyler told Miller from a Tampa hospital. "It's a reminder of how life is fragile," he said. PLAYBET @PLAYBET Jeff Gladney of Arizona Cardinals has died in a car crash at age 25. He was 20 years old. Ingrid Betancourt. Former NFL linebacker and special teamer Marquis Cooper, who was a star at the University of Washington before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, certainly wasn't a household name and played for six different franchises during his short pro career. Theres alot of whiny bitches posting here. Its easy to understand why Cooper cant accept what happened, but its too bad that he feels the need to lash out at Schuyler. An explanation of what, exactly, the dad is disputing and why he feels it is wrong would have been far more helpful than merely dismissing it outright as a fathers grief. He, too, took his life vest off, 24-year-old Schuyler told the families. "But I dont think he was delusional at all.". You better check your body temperature seems like your reasoning is suffering from hypothermia. Think the Unthinkable - then Do Something About It. In fact, it can work against you. But Marquiss father, Bruce Cooper, believes that Schuylers account is an untrue, self-serving story. ", Lions running back Kevin Smith called Corey Smith "a good, quiet guy, who always put in an honest day's work.". Everyone really comes together in times like these.". The caller, whose name was redacted from the report, said the group "could have possibly tried to go farther out to fish." At the air force survival school in the woods of Washington state, I learned that appearances are deceiving. A search began for Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith, and Will Bleakley but that search was called off on March 6 and all three were presumed dead. Authorities are investigating after he was found unresponsive in bed in a studio apartment. A 16-year-old Nebraska high school football player died after a heat-related medical emergency at a practice. YOU dont know if he has an angle. He documented the story in his book, "Not Without Hope," which is now being adapted for the big screen, starring actor Miles Teller as Schuyler. What do they know that we don't? Learn how your comment data is processed. And this website always gives opinions. He said he was reunited with his girlfriend and "seemed quite happy.". One by one, however, Schuyler claimed that the other three began to show signs of hypothermia, took off their vests, and disappeared. The report concluded the following:[11], The conclusions were accompanied by additional details from the Schuyler interviews. One person who called the Coast Guard reported that one of the men, presumably Cooper, had one week left before he was expected in California for football practice. He isnt bashing Nick. The bodies of Cooper, Smith and Bleakley have not been recovered. Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Air. Need a tissue? Because theyre normal. "We are devastated to have lost a member of our. After searching thousands of miles of ocean, the Coast Guard finally arrives 46 hours later. Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Darryl Floyd Stingley (September 18, 1951 - April 5, 2007) was an American professional football player, a wide receiver whose career was ended at age 26 by an on-field spinal cord injury. Hours later, the trip took a tragic turn as their boat capsized 70 miles from land. Another started getting unruly, throwing punches and later took off his life jacket, dove under the water and was never seen again. The boat was carrying four passengers: Cooper, Corey Smith, and two former University of South Florida football players, Nick Schuyler and Will Bleakley. This week, the HBO newsmagazine show "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" reported that "since the year 2000, 30 players have died as a result of college football workouts." The cause: heat stroke, which is completely preventable if college officials overseeing grueling practices - usually athletic trainers - can identify a stricken . It is completely consistant with hypothermia. I never believe what the white-devil says. Cooper's cousin Ray Sanchez said the Coast Guard recounted a similar story to him, but doesn't know whether it's true. Marquis Cooper was just 26 years old at the time of his death and was survived by his wife and young daughter. There is no Mentalist conspiracy here. TAMPA, Fla. Two NFL players may have died just a few hours after their fishing boat capsized in rough seas and possibly before rescuers were even alerted that they and two others were lost. Paul Fain. In an emergency, four similar guys can follow four entirely different survival paths. "Mom, you're not going to go to. Chronic traumatic. "We are devastated . Some of you people are seriously troubled in the head. Spinal cord injury sustained during 1909 game vs. Internal injuries sustained during a practice game, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 23:31. In an emergency, you just hit the distress button and your location will be broadcast to rescuers. You can't pick out the best survivors just by looking at their biceps. Nick was the sole survivor and hes entitled to emblish a story as much as he wants to play the heroREALLY? But these aren't your usual fishermen. Actually there were three others who perished, not two. The 50-year-old former wide receiver played for the New England Patriots in 2001 when they won the Super Bowl. Click here for more on this story from MyFOXTampaBay.com. My point is that I dont think its grieving. This kind of foolish expectation will only lead to disappointment and even greater despair. "We're not 100 percent sure where his head was at," Sanchez told the paper. During the search, the Coast Guard reported 14-foot seas offshore and wind gusts up to 30 mph. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M: 5 football players were killed in a head-on highway crash (1966). maybe the father is wrong, and maybe it is just grief. Cooper was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (79th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. @goombars: And just what is YOUR platform for defending Nick Schyler with wild speculation of your own. the capsizing ejected the operator and occupants into rough Gulf waters. Officials have said they found three life jackets: one on Schuyler, another near the boat and a third underneath. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Kalabrya Haskins: "I'm in Pittsburgh, PA, I'm at home. Drake Geiger, a 16-year-old junior offensive and defensive tackle for Omaha South High School, died Tuesday after he became ill just 10 minutes into practice as his body temperature reached 122. Tate Myre, a standout player for the Wildcats football team at . Johnson was injured in a pre-season game and did not play in a regular season game. "I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," the Times quoted Bob Bleakley as saying. The former tight end went into cardiac arrest while out on a jog in Boston, according to his family. i mean come on why wouldnt he make some stuff up to make him look like hes awesome? Traumatic brain injury sustained during 1909 game vs. Traumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Spinal cord injury sustained during 1894 game vs. Columbia Athletic Club. his dad knew about it, and doesnt seem to be blaming everyone else in the world or looking for a scapegoat. I have serious doubts as to his character and the veracity of his story. For starters, while hypothermia affects people differently, it always drains your strength and resolve and eventually induces delusions or what's known as "cold stupid." For him to simply dismiss Coopers fathers desire to look into the death of his son as simply a grieving father seem very insulting. The survivors story wasnt credible to many two years ago, either. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, September 23, 1895, Image 10", "Kennesaw State Quarterback Killed After 50 Shots Fired Into His Car", "The evening times. National World - Other Local Sites. Always taking the black perspective, no matter what. When someone dies folks look for someone to blame. Wow! He had one reception for 13 yards in his career, which also included some time on special teams. For example, Bleakley's family said Schuyler told them that their son held on to the boat with his college teammate until he weakened and died. But what makes their loss even more tragic is the likelihood that they didn't have to die. I do feel like the people of the area will relate and appreciate someone from the area.. His doctor said it's a "miracle" Schuyler survived in the 63-degree Gulf water for nearly two days. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal has the details. Bourgeois will be honored in numerous ways during the Army . it didnt even go down like that I know that for a fact, and I wasnt even out there, but I know that for a fact. Not a member? Marquis Cooper was an avid fisherman. Two of the boaters play in the NFL; the other two are former college players. That's a tough way to go.". More than 24 hours after starting their search, a sign of hope finally emerged. So what should you do if you're stranded in the ocean on an overturned boat (or if face your own crisis like unemployment or foreclosure?) 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