NFL Players Still Missing Off Florida Coast

Clearwater, FL—All alone…atop an overturned fishing boat, almost 40 miles from land, missing boater Nick Schuyler was spotted by Coast Guard rescue teams and airlifted to safety.

Stuart Schuyler, Nick Schuyler, father: “He looks okay, got a few cuts and bruises, he’s dehydrated. His body temp is not that far from norm.“

Schuyler was one of four men missing after a friendly fishing trip turned into a worst case scenario. Two of the men still missing are NFL players: Detroit Lions’ defensive lineman Corey Smith, and Marquis Cooper, of the Oakland Raiders. Also on board was Will bleakley, a former college football teammate of Schuyler’s.

Now the search turns to finding these three men, having already searched thousands of miles of water cold enough to enduce hypothermia. Schuyler said they were all wearing life jackets.

Capt. Timothy M. Close, U.S. Coast Guard: “Hypothermia is a very big concern, at this point, which is why, when we got the call, we hit this hard.“

Rebekah Cooper, Marquis Cooper’s wife: “I believe they are out there, and they are waiting to be found. And, if there is one thing that I am confident in, is that he knows that people are looking for him.“

Cooper’s truck and boat trailer remain at this dock, in Clearwater, Florida where the group headed out, early Saturday morning. When they failed to return as expected, later that same evening, relatives notified authorities.

While one family reunites with their son, three others are still hopeful they too can have a happy ending.

Rhonda Smith, Corey Smith’s sister: “We’re just wishing the best, and whatever happens is in God’s hands.“