Below is a detailed look at the 2009 Gulf of Mexico boating tragedy that claimed the lives of William Bleakley, Marquis Cooper, and Corey Smith, the enduring impact on their families and community, and the premiere of the documentary Four Down in St. Petersburg.

Below is a detailed look at the 2009 Gulf of Mexico boating tragedy that claimed the lives of William Bleakley, Marquis Cooper, and Corey Smith, the enduring impact on their families and community, and the premiere of the documentary Four Down in St. Petersburg.

Sixteen years ago, on February 28, 2009, former University of South Florida teammates William “Will” Bleakley and Nick Schuyler joined NFL veterans Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith for a fishing trip off the Clearwater coast. Their 21‑foot vessel’s anchor became fouled; in attempting to free it, the boat capsized in rough waters roughly 70 miles offshore, tossing all four into the Gulf . The U.S. Coast Guard located only Schuyler, clinging to the overturned hull after more than 40 hours, while his three friends were lost to hypothermia and exhaustion—Bleakley, then 24; Cooper, 26; and Smith, 29 .

The Tragic Accident

Departure and Capsize

On the morning of February 28, 2009, the quartet departed Clearwater Marina aboard a center‑console boat for what was meant to be a routine offshore fishing excursion. When the anchor line snagged, they attempted to throttle forward to dislodge it, inadvertently flooding the stern and capsizing the vessel .

Coast Guard Rescue

The Coast Guard Cutter Tornado began a night‑long search; at 1:35 p.m. on March 2, Schuyler was found atop the hull, suffering from hypothermia but alive. Despite extended search efforts, Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley were never recovered alive and presumed drowned .

Lives Remembered

William “Will” Bleakley

A standout fullback at USF and Schuyler’s best friend since childhood, Bleakley was known for his selflessness both on and off the field. His dedication to family and faith left an indelible mark on teammates and coaches alike .

Marquis Cooper

An Oakland Raiders linebacker, Cooper overcame early career setbacks to become a respected special‑teams leader. Teammates remember his grit and willingness to mentor younger players. His wife later filed for a death certificate, formalizing the painful loss .

Corey Smith

A former Buccaneers defensive end and Super Bowl XXXVII champion, Smith’s kindness off the field rivaled his ferocity on it. The Detroit Lions honored him posthumously, retiring his #93 and establishing the Corey D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund .

Aftermath and Legacy

Not Without Hope

In 2010, survivor Nick Schuyler co‑authored Not Without Hope, recounting the ordeal and preserving the memory of his friends. The book became a New York Times best‑seller and a testament to human endurance and friendship .

Ongoing Memorials

Each year, Schuyler and NFL alumni host a memorial ride and charity golf tournament in Tampa, raising funds for maritime safety and scholarships in the victims’ names. The annual gatherings draw hundreds, ensuring the three men are never forgotten.

“Four Down” Documentary Premiere

At the 20th Sunscreen Film Festival, Four Down—produced by Rick French and directed by Todd Melick—will premiere at the AMC Sundial in St. Petersburg, screening April 24 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 5 p.m. using reenactments to recreate the fateful trip and Coast Guard rescue . The filmmakers collaborated closely with Schuyler to honor the memories of Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley.

Continuing Their Spirit

While the Gulf took these three too soon, their legacies endure in scholarship recipients, safety campaigns, and the documentary’s heartfelt tribute. As friends and family prepare to gather for Four Down’s premiere, they invite the public to join in remembering Whe Bleakley’s warmth, Cooper’s leadership, and Smith’s compassion—three lives that forever touched the Clearwater community.

Citations

Josh Cascio, “2009 boating accident that killed college & NFL players coming to the big screen,” Fox 13 News.
Wikipedia, Not Without Hope article on 2009 accident and book details.
Corey Smith Wikipedia page; accident summary, scholarship, Lions tribute.
Marquis Cooper Wikipedia page; Coast Guard search and investigation.
CNN, “Bad anchoring caused football players’ boat to flip.
ESPN/AP, “Report: Boat not properly anchored.
Sarasota Herald‑Tribune, “A survivor’s account of ordeal in the Gulf.
Christopher Spata, “Movie about football players’ fatal boat accident to premiere in St. Petersburg,” Tampa Bay Times.
Fox 13 News, “New film in the works will tell story of 2009 boating accident…
ABC Action News, “First of two films on football players’ deadly boating accident to premiere…