Nick Schuyler Rescued, NFL Players Marquis Cooper and Coney Smith still Missing

Nick Schuyler, one of the four men missing at sea with NFL players Marquis Cooper
and Coney Smith, was rescued by the U.S Coast Guard. Will Bleakley, a former
University of South Florida football player, made up the fourth on the ill-fated fishing trip.

Nick Schuyler, also a former University of South Florida football player, was found
clinging to the capsized fishing boat yesterday. His condition is reported to be serious
but stable. He is suffering from dehydration and exhaustion and sustained a few cuts and bruises. He was rescued more than a day after the boat capsized in choppy
seas off the Florida coast.

The Coast Guard found the capsized vessel 35 miles southwest from Clearwater. According to
Schuyler, their boat flipped over on Saturday afternoon. He did not say how it happened.
Schuyler was ferried to Tampa General by helicopter where he is now being treated. His
parents have seen him and are confident that he will be OK.

His father said that their hearts went out to the other families.

“We still have three men missing, and we’re not going to talk too much until we find these
guys,” said his father, Stuart Schuyler. “We’ re all praying for them. These guys are all
very close friends.”

With the boat found, rescuers have narrowed down and intensified the search. Two
helicopters, two airplanes, an 87-foot cutter and other vessels have joined the search. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have also joined in and will be
concentrating on the inshore coastal waters.

Time is now of the essence because the low water temperatures make survival in cold
water for prolonged periods of time difficult, although the men’s size may help to insulate
them from hypothermia, the length of time they have spent in the water works against them.

Cooper is 6 feet 3 inches and 213 pounds, a linebacker who has played for five N.F.L.
teams since playing for the University of Washington. Smith, 6-2 and 250 pounds, is from
Richmond, Va., and played for North Carolina State before entering the NFL. He has played
for the Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers and the Lions. Bleakley played tight end at South
Florida, which listed him at 6-3 and 240 pounds.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in the process of gathering more
information,” the Raiders said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the
passengers, their families and those involved in the search efforts.”