Marquis Cooper
Encyclopedia
Marquis Victor Cooper was an American football
linebacker
in the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at the University of Washington
.
Cooper had also played for the Minnesota Vikings
, Pittsburgh Steelers
, Seattle Seahawks
, Jacksonville Jaguars
and Oakland Raiders
.
On March 1, 2009, Cooper and three other men went missing after their boat capsized in rough seas near Clearwater, Florida
. Cooper and two of the men are now presumed to be dead.
sportscaster
Bruce Cooper and wife Donna. He has a younger sister named Donielle. He was born in Mesa, Arizona
and in raised in Gilbert, Arizona
, and attended Gilbert Junior High School and Highland High School
, where he became an All-State player in football.
Though his grandfather worked in the athletic department of Arizona State University
, Cooper attended the University of Washington
. He graduated with a degree in sociology and was a member of the Pac-10 All-Conference team in 2003. Cooper and wife Rebekah, who met while attending the University of Washington, have a daughter named Delaney Christine. In the offseason, the family lived in Tampa, Florida
.
in the third round (79th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He was released just before the start of the 2006 season, on September 2.
on September 5, 2006. He was released on October 30.
by the Pittsburgh Steelers
. The Steelers waived him on December 5.
on December 12. He finished the 2006 season with the team and was released the following year on July 27, 2007.
. The Jaguars released him on December 7.
on November 5, 2008, after linebacker
Robert Thomas
was placed on injured reserve
.
reported that a 21-foot fishing boat was missing off the Gulf Coast near Clearwater, Florida
. The boat was carrying four passengers: Cooper, free agent
defensive lineman Corey Smith
, and two former University of South Florida football
players, Nick Schuyler and Will Bleakley. The four men left Clearwater Pass on February 28 at 6:30 a.m. and were expected to return later that night. The Coast Guard began searching for the missing boat shortly after midnight on March 1, 2009. By 1:35 p.m. local time on March 2, 2009, the boat had been located, overturned, with Schuyler clinging to it.
The search for the three missing men was called off by the Coast Guard, but friends and relatives organized their own search. The private search was called off on March 6. Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley are presumed dead. On March 11, Cooper's wife filed for a death certificate
in civil court.
On March 25, 2009, a report was released based on a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
investigation into the capsizing; the investigation included interviews with Schuyler (the survivor) and an inspection of the boat. The report concluded the following:
The conclusions were accompanied by additional details from the Schuyler interviews. According to Schuyler, after the capsizing, he and the other three men, all wearing flotation devices, struggled overnight to remain on top of the capsized hull of the boat, with water reaching chest-high over the partially-submerged hull and waves of approximately 6 feet. Cooper and Smith became non-responsive and separated from the vessel between 5:30 and 6:30 the morning of March 1, and Bleakley became non-responsive and separated about 24 hours later, which was less than six hours before Schuyler was rescued. The investigator described the symptoms Schuyler witnessed as characteristic of hypothermia
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
.
Cooper had also played for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
On March 1, 2009, Cooper and three other men went missing after their boat capsized in rough seas near Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. Cooper and two of the men are now presumed to be dead.
Early and personal life
Cooper was the oldest child of KPNXKPNX
KPNX is a full-service television station serving the Phoenix, Arizona television market as the NBC affiliate. Its studios and offices are located in Phoenix and its transmitter is on South Mountain in Phoenix but it is licensed to the suburb of Mesa. It is owned by the Gannett Company which also...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
Bruce Cooper and wife Donna. He has a younger sister named Donielle. He was born in Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
and in raised in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
, and attended Gilbert Junior High School and Highland High School
Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)
Highland High School is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, serving as part of the Gilbert Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1993.-Robotics:...
, where he became an All-State player in football.
Though his grandfather worked in the athletic department of Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, Cooper attended the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. He graduated with a degree in sociology and was a member of the Pac-10 All-Conference team in 2003. Cooper and wife Rebekah, who met while attending the University of Washington, have a daughter named Delaney Christine. In the offseason, the family lived in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cooper was drafted by the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in the third round (79th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He was released just before the start of the 2006 season, on September 2.
Minnesota Vikings
Cooper signed with the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
on September 5, 2006. He was released on October 30.
First stint with Pittsburgh Steelers
On October 31, 2006, Cooper was claimed off waiversWaivers (American football)
Waivers is a National Football League labor management procedure by which a team makes an American football player contract or NFL rights available to all other teams...
by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The Steelers waived him on December 5.
Seattle Seahawks
Cooper was signed by the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
on December 12. He finished the 2006 season with the team and was released the following year on July 27, 2007.
Second stint with Pittsburgh Steelers
Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Steelers on July 30, 2007. On September 19, he was released by the Steelers.Jacksonville Jaguars
On November 27, 2007, Cooper signed with the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The Jaguars released him on December 7.
Third stint with Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers signed Cooper for a third time on December 9, 2007. He became a free agent in the 2008 offseason.Oakland Raiders
Cooper was signed by the Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on November 5, 2008, after linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas (linebacker)
Robert Wayne Thomas is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 31st overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA....
was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
.
Statistics
| Year | Team | Tackles | Sacks | Safety | FF | FR | Int | Yds | TD |
| 2004 | TB | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | TB | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | MIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | PIT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SEA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | JAC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | PIT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | Oak | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Boating accident and disappearance
On March 1, 2009, the U.S. Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
reported that a 21-foot fishing boat was missing off the Gulf Coast near Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. The boat was carrying four passengers: Cooper, free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
defensive lineman Corey Smith
Corey Smith
Corey Dominique Smith was an American football defensive end. He was originally signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, and two former University of South Florida football
South Florida Bulls football
The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus...
players, Nick Schuyler and Will Bleakley. The four men left Clearwater Pass on February 28 at 6:30 a.m. and were expected to return later that night. The Coast Guard began searching for the missing boat shortly after midnight on March 1, 2009. By 1:35 p.m. local time on March 2, 2009, the boat had been located, overturned, with Schuyler clinging to it.
The search for the three missing men was called off by the Coast Guard, but friends and relatives organized their own search. The private search was called off on March 6. Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley are presumed dead. On March 11, Cooper's wife filed for a death certificate
Death certificate
The phrase death certificate can describe either a document issued by a medical practitioner certifying the deceased state of a person or popularly to a document issued by a person such as a registrar of vital statistics that declares the date, location and cause of a person's death as later...
in civil court.
On March 25, 2009, a report was released based on a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is a Florida government agency charged with managing the state's fish and wildlife resources, regulating Florida's fisheries and wildlife, and enforcing related laws...
investigation into the capsizing; the investigation included interviews with Schuyler (the survivor) and an inspection of the boat. The report concluded the following:
- the anchor line was tied to the port-side transomTransom (nautical)In naval architecture, a transom is the surface that forms the stern of a vessel. Transoms may be flat or curved and they may be vertical, raked forward, also known as a retroussé or reverse transom, angling forward from the waterline to the deck, or raked aft, often simply called "raked", angling...
as part of a (mistaken) plan to free the anchor; - the vessel, which had a 200 hp motor, was then throttled forward;
- the rear of the vessel was pulled into the water because the vessel's motor has been throttled without enough slack in the anchor line; and
- the capsizing ejected the operator and occupants into rough Gulf waters.
The conclusions were accompanied by additional details from the Schuyler interviews. According to Schuyler, after the capsizing, he and the other three men, all wearing flotation devices, struggled overnight to remain on top of the capsized hull of the boat, with water reaching chest-high over the partially-submerged hull and waves of approximately 6 feet. Cooper and Smith became non-responsive and separated from the vessel between 5:30 and 6:30 the morning of March 1, and Bleakley became non-responsive and separated about 24 hours later, which was less than six hours before Schuyler was rescued. The investigator described the symptoms Schuyler witnessed as characteristic of hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
.
External links
- Marquis Cooper at ESPN.comESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
- Jacksonville Jaguars bio
- Pittsburgh Steelers bio
- Washington Huskies bio