Search for Missing Players Comes to an End

Sad news out of Florida tonight. Authorities have ended the search for Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith, and William Bleakley. If you haven't heard the story yet (though I'd be somewhat amazed if you haven't, since the media coverage has been heavy): Cooper, Smith, Bleakley, and a fourth friend, Nick Schuyler, were reported missing early Sunday after embarking on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday afternoon. Their capsized boat was located on Monday, but only Schuyler was found. Both Cooper and Smith were in the NFL, which has prompted the aforementioned media frenzy.

After three days of combing 24,000 miles of ocean, the Coast Guard on Tuesday stopped searching for two NFL players and a third man lost in rough, chilly Gulf of Mexico waters off the Florida coast.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith, who played with the Detroit Lions last season, and former South Florida player William Bleakley, had been missing since Saturday when their boat capsized during a fishing trip.

Bleakley’s father said he thought the Coast Guard did everything it could and that his expectations lowered after only one survivor was found Monday, nearly two days after the four friends were knocked out of their 21-foot boat.

“I think they were not to be found,” Robert Bleakley said.

My condolences to the families and friends of all three men.

R.I.P.