Coast Guard searching for missing boat with NFL players

**Garland Greene** · 03-01-2009, 12:04 PM

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Former-Bucs-among-missing-boaters-off-Gulf-of/LLFh0Ac2cECnkSanyO4BZA.cspx

CLEARWATER, FL -- The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fishing boat about 50 miles off-shore in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to Coast Guard officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from a boat ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday about 6:30 am with 4 people on board.

Friends Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith and a fourth person haven't been seen since.

At least 2 of the men are professional football players with ties to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cooper, whose truck and trailer is till parked at the boat ramp where the men left from, is a linebacker with the Oakland Raiders.

Smith is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions. Both began their careers with the Bucs.

**Garland Greene** · 03-01-2009, 03:02 PM

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spboat0302,0,5958830.story

NFL players among missing boaters

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

3:05 PM EST, March 1, 2009

Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing Sunday off Florida's Gulf Coast, 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 motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.

Smith owned the boat and he and Cooper 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.

Smith, 29, had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the winless Lions. Smith, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and played college ball at North Carolina State.

not much new to report but still not sounding good

**Mikecarter81** · 03-01-2009, 03:07 PM

ouch thats no good for sure.

Mike

**oaklandzoo24** · 03-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Maybe they will show up on the next episode of LOST.

But in all seriousness this sucks.
Cooper can makes some plays and Smith was one of the better lions for what it is worth.

**Tad7** · 03-01-2009, 03:31 PM

I'm praying for these guys..that's scary stuff.

**Mr Anderson** · 03-01-2009, 03:32 PM

Maybe Mexican pirates got them.

I bet they'll be found, although it seems like there's a tragedy of some sort every year in the NFL now.... knock on wood.

**nephilimstorm** · 03-01-2009, 03:38 PM

I just hope everything is okay down there...geesh...I pray.

**gregair13** · 03-01-2009, 04:47 PM

Thoughts are with their families

**mr.woo** · 03-01-2009, 04:48 PM

at least it doesn't have to do with viking players on a boat this time.

**Vikes** · 03-01-2009, 09:37 PM

"mr.woo" wrote:

at least it doesn't have to do with viking players on a boat this time.

Well actual Marquis Cooper played for the Vikes.

Minnesota Vikings
Cooper signed with the Minnesota Vikings on September 5, 2006. He was released on October 30.

Also his dad Bruce Cooper is a local sports guy nice guy kinda Fitz story. It's sad they are good people.

I hope they find both of them.

http://www.azcentral.com/12news/bios/articles/bios_Bruce_Cooper-CR.html