FL FL - NFL Players missing off Clearwater Pass - Boat capsized - 28 Feb 2009

[Sleuthster]

Presumed dead, according to their pictures

http://www.tampabay.com/

 

[Sleuthster]

5:14 p.m.: The only man rescued so far from an overturned boat in the Gulf of Mexico told Coast Guard investigators a bizarre story about the fate of the other three.
Nick Schuyler, 24, told investigators that about two to four hours after their boat capsized Saturday in rough seas, one of the two professional football players gave up hope and let himself be swept away, according to family members of two of the missing men.
A few hours later, the second one did the same.
"We were told that Nick said the two NFL players took their life jackets off and drifted out to sea," said Bob Bleakley, whose son Will, 25, is also still missing.
With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith gone, only Schuyler and Bleakley remained clinging to the boat.
Then, sometime Monday morning, Will Bleakley thought he saw a light in the distance and decided to take off his life jacket and swim to it, hoping to get help.
"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Bleakley said.
Ray Sanchez, Cooper's cousin, said the Coast Guard told him the same thing, but cautioned against taking Schuyler's story as gospel at this point.
"We're not 100 percent sure where his head was at," Sanchez said. "He'd been through a lot."
---Craig Pittman and Brant James, Times staff writers

www.sptimes.com

 

[opme]

I have been praying that a miracle would happen and that these 3 men would be found a little battered and bruised but ok. I am so deeply sorry that its not to be. This is such a darn shame.. so much ahead of them all.. I am deeply sorry they are not coming home to their families. I can only think of Marquis Coopers 3 year old daughter who has been robbed of having her daddy in her life.. and he of watching his little girl grow up. The other 2 men didnt even have a chance to experience that joy of parenthood. I can only send my deepest condolences and prayers for healing to their loved ones. I am just so incredibly sorry for their loss. May god be watching over them all both in heaven and on earth.

 

[Julessleuther]

I have to say, that is VERY odd to me that they would give up so quickly, and especially take their life jackets off? Marquis Cooper was a Phoenix local boy, and from everything I have read/heard, he was a real fighter. Cooper was an experienced fisherman, and he knows that people knew where they were going, so he SHOULD have thought that people would be looking for them, so why give up so soon?

quote=Sleuthster;3403857]5:14 p.m.: The only man rescued so far from an overturned boat in the Gulf of Mexico told Coast Guard investigators a bizarre story about the fate of the other three.
Nick Schuyler, 24, told investigators that about two to four hours after their boat capsized Saturday in rough seas, one of the two professional football players gave up hope and let himself be swept away, according to family members of two of the missing men.
A few hours later, the second one did the same.
"We were told that Nick said the two NFL players took their life jackets off and drifted out to sea," said Bob Bleakley, whose son Will, 25, is also still missing.
With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith gone, only Schuyler and Bleakley remained clinging to the boat.
Then, sometime Monday morning, Will Bleakley thought he saw a light in the distance and decided to take off his life jacket and swim to it, hoping to get help.
"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Bleakley said.
Ray Sanchez, Cooper's cousin, said the Coast Guard told him the same thing, but cautioned against taking Schuyler's story as gospel at this point.
"We're not 100 percent sure where his head was at," Sanchez said. "He'd been through a lot."
---Craig Pittman and Brant James, Times staff writers

www.sptimes.com[/quote]

 

[Sleuthster]

My prayers are with all of the families this evening. To those who have lost a son,father, brother, husband, may you find comfort and guidence with the memories of the time that you where able to share, though short, with these wonderful men.

 

[raeann]

Confusion and APATHY are two of the first occuring effects of hypothermia. These can occur when core body temperatures drop only to 95 degrees, or only around 4 degrees below normal body temperature. Only a few hours in 62 degree water could easily cause that much temperature drop. Panic and exhaustion from trying to hang on to a boat in huge waves would only hasten the effects of the cold temperatures.
These effects have caused people lost in blizzards to sometimes take off clothing items and simply lay down in the snow thinking that they only need to "cool off and rest".

So, though WE are thinking clearly that these men were strong and fit and smart and had so much to try to live for.....they were not thinking or behaving as their normal selves, they were thinking with a brain made dysfunctional by the cold.

Think of the passengers on the plane that went into the Hudson River, while the water was colder there, those people were only in it for literally a few minutes and many suffered from hypothermia effects. Many of them stated that they thought they were going to freeze and drown, even though they could SEE help coming immediately.

 

[Julessleuther]

Thank you for your explanation, it makes alot of sense. I guess I am just emotional, Bruce Cooper (Marquis' father) is a beloved sports commentator here in Phoenix, and this hits home. I am so sad for all the families involved, and it just proves how precious life is---four guys who went out for a casual day of fishing, and several families lives forever changed.

Confusion and APATHY are two of the first occuring effects of hypothermia. These can occur when core body temperatures drop only to 95 degrees, or only around 4 degrees below normal body temperature. Only a few hours in 62 degree water could easily cause that much temperature drop. Panic and exhaustion from trying to hang on to a boat in huge waves would only hasten the effects of the cold temperatures.
These effects have caused people lost in blizzards to sometimes take off clothing items and simply lay down in the snow thinking that they only need to "cool off and rest".

So, though WE are thinking clearly that these men were strong and fit and smart and had so much to try to live for.....they were not thinking or behaving as their normal selves, they were thinking with a brain made dysfunctional by the cold.

Think of the passengers on the plane that went into the Hudson River, while the water was colder there, those people were only in it for literally a few minutes and many suffered from hypothermia effects. Many of them stated that they thought they were going to freeze and drown, even though they could SEE help coming immediately.

 

[Malapoo]

Someplace quoted Nick as saying he kept telling himself "My mother is NOT going to my funeral" to keep himself going. Roxanne, are you his Mom's sister? I am so happy for his family and at the same time so sad for the others.

Yes, we can't wonder why they did "impractical things" because they would not have been thinking clearly. That's the reason they're unsure how accurate Nick's story is. Not that they think he's lying, they just know that none of the men would have been thinking clearly at some point after going into the water.

 

[southcitymom]

Confusion and APATHY are two of the first occuring effects of hypothermia. These can occur when core body temperatures drop only to 95 degrees, or only around 4 degrees below normal body temperature. Only a few hours in 62 degree water could easily cause that much temperature drop. Panic and exhaustion from trying to hang on to a boat in huge waves would only hasten the effects of the cold temperatures.
These effects have caused people lost in blizzards to sometimes take off clothing items and simply lay down in the snow thinking that they only need to "cool off and rest".

So, though WE are thinking clearly that these men were strong and fit and smart and had so much to try to live for.....they were not thinking or behaving as their normal selves, they were thinking with a brain made dysfunctional by the cold.

Think of the passengers on the plane that went into the Hudson River, while the water was colder there, those people were only in it for literally a few minutes and many suffered from hypothermia effects. Many of them stated that they thought they were going to freeze and drown, even though they could SEE help coming immediately.

This is an excellent explanation about the effects of hypothermia.

What a heartbreaking tragedy. All my prayers for the friends and families of these men.

I don't have a lot of random fears, but being stranded on the open ocean is in my Top 3.

 

[raeann]

This is an excellent explanation about the effects of hypothermia.

What a heartbreaking tragedy. All my prayers for the friends and families of these men.

I don't have a lot of random fears, but being stranded on the open ocean is in my Top 3.

Thanks...and I hope that someone helps the families to understand this process, also. They should not feel disappointed or angry that these men did not "try harder" or "stay strong and fight", they were essentially dealing with a brain injury beyond anything that they could control or think through. The one survivor somehow must have functioned on a kind of autopilot response where he stuck with what all boating safety plans instruct....STAY WITH THE BOAT!

 

[panthera]

So sad. I was so hoping they'd all be found alive.

:cry::cry::cry:

My thoughts and prayers for Marquis, Corey and Will's families.

 

[Gracenote]

Confusion and APATHY are two of the first occuring effects of hypothermia. These can occur when core body temperatures drop only to 95 degrees, or only around 4 degrees below normal body temperature. Only a few hours in 62 degree water could easily cause that much temperature drop. Panic and exhaustion from trying to hang on to a boat in huge waves would only hasten the effects of the cold temperatures.
These effects have caused people lost in blizzards to sometimes take off clothing items and simply lay down in the snow thinking that they only need to "cool off and rest".

So, though WE are thinking clearly that these men were strong and fit and smart and had so much to try to live for.....they were not thinking or behaving as their normal selves, they were thinking with a brain made dysfunctional by the cold.

Think of the passengers on the plane that went into the Hudson River, while the water was colder there, those people were only in it for literally a few minutes and many suffered from hypothermia effects. Many of them stated that they thought they were going to freeze and drown, even though they could SEE help coming immediately.

Thank you so much for explaining that because I was already having thoughts like "I would never give up!" I saw the brother of one of the men saying that his brother was a strong swimmer, and I know that, while I am not really, my 50 year old sister could swim in the ocean forever. She is naturally bouyant, too and floats really well. But not in cold, rough water.

The cold, confusion, and all you talked about makes me realize that they were against an enemy that was stronger than them. Mother nature. She has no respect for us at all. It is a sad story.

 

[chesterp]

I do hope the NFL players will chip in and continue the search, if only to find their bodies, or a miracle.............

 

[jandkmom]

I do hope the NFL players will chip in and continue the search, if only to find their bodies, or a miracle.............

I agree. I am hoping for a miracle. This story is so sad. I pray for the missing young men and their families.

 

[accordn2me]

Thanks...and I hope that someone helps the families to understand this process, also. They should not feel disappointed or angry that these men did not "try harder" or "stay strong and fight", they were essentially dealing with a brain injury beyond anything that they could control or think through. The one survivor somehow must have functioned on a kind of autopilot response where he stuck with what all boating safety plans instruct....STAY WITH THE BOAT!

raeann,

Thank you for your initial explanation and also this one. You never know, just these few words might oneday help someone who's reading them here, or someone else they tell about what what you've taught us. Bless your heart!:blowkiss:

 

[Kat]

My prayers for the families of these men ~ from my heart to the heavens.

 

[6angels]

Does the title bother anyone else or is it just me? There was 4 men not just two NFL players( and I am not talking about the OP of this thread) I am saying the news say 2 nfl ect ect but its NOT just about 2 NFL players NORE are they more important then the other 2 men. JMO prayers going out for everyone.

 

[Brwnigirl]

I do hope the NFL players will chip in and continue the search, if only to find their bodies, or a miracle.............

I totally agree. With all the money they make I hope this is the least they can do for all 3 families involved. What a tragedy.
My prayers to the families.

Is there any land anywhere, is there any chance?
If that was my family member I don't think I could be stopped from searching even with the warnings they have given.

 

[Diamond]

It's so sad...my prayers are with family and friends.

A personal story regarding possible hypothermia: As a teen, my boyfriend (later husband) and I were stranded...due to our ride being late picking us up. It was the middle of nowhere...freezing and snow everywhere. Of course, back then, we didn't have cell phones and could only wait. We noticed an old barn not too far off (still able to listen for our ride) and when I couldn't take it anymore sought shelter inside it. I'm not sure how much time passed in there, but it was quite a while. My back hurt so bad from shaking and I just had to move on. Anyhow, we came upon a house too and my boyfriend asked the owner if we could wait inside. I was thrilled, until I stepped inside. I instantly felt very ill...like I was going to vomit and/or pass out. I had to go back outside and told him so. I wanted to cry...too cold outside, but couldn't handle inside. I sat on the ground near the road and later felt weak and sleepy. I can't remember much, but think I was pretty confused by that point. Thankfully, the ride arrived (hours late). My boyfriend told me later, they (the house owners) accused me of being drunk! Apparently, I stumbled some and my speech was slurred (I had no idea) when telling him I had to go back outside. I'm pretty certain, it was hypothermia (in hindsight). So, I can easily see how it can lead to poor choices. I finally had a warm and safe place, but I went back out into the freezing heck I (earlier) had so desperately wanted/needed to escape.

 

[Brwnigirl]

Thanks...and I hope that someone helps the families to understand this process, also. They should not feel disappointed or angry that these men did not "try harder" or "stay strong and fight", they were essentially dealing with a brain injury beyond anything that they could control or think through. The one survivor somehow must have functioned on a kind of autopilot response where he stuck with what all boating safety plans instruct....STAY WITH THE BOAT!

Thank you for posting this. I cannot believe that they would choose to simply float away. These were gifted athletes who had or were competing at the highest level of sports NCAA/NFL; you think about how many kids get to that college level or pro level. I don't believe giving up would be in their makeup unless it was beyond their control.