12:46 p.m.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - The Coast Guard says the overturned boat
it found off Florida's Gulf Coast belongs to Oakland Raiders
linebacker Marquis Cooper. The survivor found clinging to the
vessel is former University of South Florida player Nick Schuyler.
The Coast Guard says Cooper, Detroit Lions free agent Corey
Smith and another former USF player, William Bleakley, remain
missing.
TV showed Schuyler being helped from a Coast Guard helicopter at
Tampa General Hospital. He appeared conscious.
The Coast Guard had been searching for the four men since they
were reported missing early Sunday morning, one day after they left
on a fishing trip. As of Monday morning, the Coast Guard had
searched 16,000 square miles off Florida's Gulf Coast.
12:12 p.m.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - The Coast Guard says it has found a
person clinging to an overturned boat off Florida's Gulf Coast, but
could not immediately confirm whether it is the same boat carrying
NFL players Corey Smith, Marquis Cooper and two other men.
The Coast Guard has been searching for the four men since they
were reported missing early Sunday morning. As of Monday morning,
they had searched 16,000 square miles off Florida's Gulf Coast.
Petty Officer Sondra-Kay Kneen said they have located a vessel
Monday and "a person on that vessel."
No further details were provided.
Cooper is an Oakland Raiders linebacker. Smith is a Detroit
Lions free-agent defensive end. William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler,
the other men on board, are both former University of South Florida
players.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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