Coast Guard searching for missing boat with NFL players

[NCMTNCAT]

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.

A dispatcher told ABC Action News 3 of them are NFL players. One of the plays for the Detroit Lions, and one plays for the Oakland Raiders, the dispatcher said.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Coast-Guard-searching-for-missing-boat-with-NFL/LLFh0Ac2cECnkSanyO4BZA.cspx

[bLACKpANTHER]

just read that.. wonder who the players are..

pray for their safety..

[Mr. Scot]

Just caught that too. Wow.

Scanning my brain files for memories of Raider and Lion players who associate...

[Black]

The Coast Guard identified three of the missing boaters as Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler and Corey Smith.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/01/coast-guard-searching-4-missing-boaters/news-metro/

[Mr. Scot]

So former teammates on a prior team. That's the sort of connection I expected.

[Kyle82]

I hope they are ok

[1BucDeal]

I hope they are okay too. The water is very rough today here because of high winds.

[PantherMan89]

Doesn't sound good. PFT now saying the search has been called off.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/01/source-search-called-off-for-missing-boat/

[bubbadawg]

I hope this turns out for the good, but I have to wonder what they are doing 50 miles out in a 21' boat on a day with rough seas. Thats a long way in a small boat

[PantherMan89]

PFT has since updated and said the search has not been called off citing a tv station in tampa. It says the air force is also now involved.

[VGcollector]

Man i hope they are found.

[Johnny Rockets]

I hope this turns out for the good, but I have to wonder what they are doing 50 miles out in a 21' boat on a day with rough seas. Thats a long way in a small boat

I agree...I would not be out that far in something that small.....and definitely too small of a boat for 4 NFL sized players. Sounds like horrific news, but I hope it turns out well.

[Cardiac Cats86]

MSNBC just said they found a 'cap size' boat in the gulf w/ a guy still with it. they're just speculatin' on if its the same people or not.

[1BucDeal]

MSNBC just said they found a 'cap size' boat in the gulf w/ a guy still with it. they're just speculatin' on if its the same people or not.

They found one alive who said at 2 am they all were alive with life jackets on. Local Tampa channel reporting.