What's On My Mind: NFL Tragedy

Today, I could write about the NBA and the league leading LA Lakers.  Or I could write about what I think about the NFL Free Agent Transactions, the Jake Cutler situation, or Manny Ramirez finally agreeing to a contract with the LA Dodgers.

However, the only thing that's been on my mind since the weekend has been the tragic boating incident involving Oakland Raiders LB Marquis Cooper, former Detroit Lions DL Corey Smith, and former University of South Florida players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler.  I don't know why it's been on my mind all weekend since I heard about it.  Was it because I can't swim and I'm afraid of deep water?  I couldn't even imagine being in their situation.  I couldn't save myself in 8 feet of water, let alone an ocean.

Earlier today, the US Coast Guard suspended the search for these men after 3 days and 24,000 miles.  Luckily, they found Schuyler on Monday with the boat, two days after the boat capsized.  This gave me hope that the other men would soon be found.  I checked every few hours during the day to get updates.  After they weren't found during the daylight hours, I began to get really worried that they wouldn't be found.  I even woke up several times during the night to check to see if there were any positive updates but to no avail.

As they went into today, and still no sight of the missing players, the Coast Guard set a 6:30 pm deadline before giving up the search.  I was still hopeful, but didn't expect any good news.  I know it had to be emotional when the family was told of the Coast Guards' plan to suspend the search.  When the deadline passed, I paused to reflect on my own mortality.  Like I said earlier, I definitely wouldn't have made it, but it reminds you how life can be taken away so quickly.  It made me want to eat better, lose weight, exercise, pretty much do anything I can to live longer to be with my family.  You can't control some factors, but the ones that you can control, I will.

Schuyler apparently told one of his friends in the hospital that a chopper flew over them the first night and shone a light above them, and later they could see lights from the shore.  This also shows you how close life and death can be.  My deepest condolences go out to the families and may the many prayers help you find solace.

DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted atdcthesportsguy@gmail.com