Post by Detroit Pistons on Mar 1, 2009 23:48:12 GMT -5
This is really sad
www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/03/report_lions_player_missing_in.html
Corey Smith, who has played defensive end for the Detroit Lions for the past three years, reportedly is one of the boaters missing in the Gulf of Mexico.
"We're aware of the report,'' Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said. "We're trying to gather as much information as we can.''
Smith, who became an unrestricted free agent Friday, is a seven-year veteran who was signed by the Lions in 2006. Smith appeared in 36 games for the Lions over the last three years.
Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing, the Coast Guard and Smith's agent said.
Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass on Saturday morning for a fishing trip and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.
Cooper owned the boat and he and Smith had been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
The Coast Guard said the two others were aboard, identified as Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, but they did not provide other details. The St. Petersburg Times on its Web site identified them as former University of South Florida players. Calls to the school by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
Del Duca called Smith 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.
Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, 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.
Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports.
The Lions released an official statement listed below:
"We are closely monitoring the Coast Guard reports involving a missing fishing boat off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
"We have been informed by the Coast Guard that one of the passengers is Corey Smith, who played for the Lions the past three seasons.
"We will continue to gather more information, while maintaining constant communication with the Coast Guard and local Florida authorities.
"First and foremost, however, is that our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, their families and all those involved in the search efforts.
"We will provide further updates when more information becomes available."
www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/01/source-search-called-off-for-missing-boat/
A source with knowledge of the tragic situation that has unfolded over the past two days in Florida tells us that the authorities have called off the search for a 21-foot fishing boat carrying two NFL players.
We’re told that the boat left from Seminole, not Clearwater, and followed the Intercoastal Waterway.
A search for debris was conducted from Sand Key, which is south of Clearwater, all the way to Anclote in Pasco County.
As it was explained to us, unless the men made it onto another vessel or managed to navigate 13-foot waves in that 21-foot boat, it’s not looking good
It's a sad day in the NFL.
This is really devastating. Sounds like they have givin up hope. I hope and pray that these 2 men, and the other 2 people on the boat survied and got on another boat or landed on the beach. Please everyone say a prayer and pray that these guys are okay. I really hope they can find them even though the search has been called off
www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/03/report_lions_player_missing_in.html
Corey Smith, who has played defensive end for the Detroit Lions for the past three years, reportedly is one of the boaters missing in the Gulf of Mexico.
"We're aware of the report,'' Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said. "We're trying to gather as much information as we can.''
Smith, who became an unrestricted free agent Friday, is a seven-year veteran who was signed by the Lions in 2006. Smith appeared in 36 games for the Lions over the last three years.
Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing, the Coast Guard and Smith's agent said.
Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass on Saturday morning for a fishing trip and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.
Cooper owned the boat and he and Smith had been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
The Coast Guard said the two others were aboard, identified as Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, but they did not provide other details. The St. Petersburg Times on its Web site identified them as former University of South Florida players. Calls to the school by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
Del Duca called Smith 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.
Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, 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.
Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports.
The Lions released an official statement listed below:
"We are closely monitoring the Coast Guard reports involving a missing fishing boat off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
"We have been informed by the Coast Guard that one of the passengers is Corey Smith, who played for the Lions the past three seasons.
"We will continue to gather more information, while maintaining constant communication with the Coast Guard and local Florida authorities.
"First and foremost, however, is that our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, their families and all those involved in the search efforts.
"We will provide further updates when more information becomes available."
www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/01/source-search-called-off-for-missing-boat/
A source with knowledge of the tragic situation that has unfolded over the past two days in Florida tells us that the authorities have called off the search for a 21-foot fishing boat carrying two NFL players.
We’re told that the boat left from Seminole, not Clearwater, and followed the Intercoastal Waterway.
A search for debris was conducted from Sand Key, which is south of Clearwater, all the way to Anclote in Pasco County.
As it was explained to us, unless the men made it onto another vessel or managed to navigate 13-foot waves in that 21-foot boat, it’s not looking good
It's a sad day in the NFL.
This is really devastating. Sounds like they have givin up hope. I hope and pray that these 2 men, and the other 2 people on the boat survied and got on another boat or landed on the beach. Please everyone say a prayer and pray that these guys are okay. I really hope they can find them even though the search has been called off