Nick Schuyler's ordeal at sea with three friends who perished, including two members of the Oakland Raiders is the subject of his new book, Not Without Hope.
A year ago the news of their disappearance off the coast of Florida in the midst of a fishing trip and the subsequent rescue that brought only Schuyler home was hard to ignore. Facts about the incident are contained in the links posted at the left of this text.
It was also more than Schuyler could bear as he makes clear in interviews during the book tour now in progress.
As if his constant memories that haunt him weren't enough, he is now under attack by the wife of Marquis Cooper, former Oakland Raiders linebacker and one of Schuyler's friends who never made it back from the boating trip.
Immersed in her own grief, Rebekah Cooper wrote a long letter rebuking rumors that arose about her husband, including those that supposedly branded him as a inexperienced boater who was at the root of the accident that killed him and two others.
But that isn't all Mrs. Cooper has to say. She is upset that Schuyler wrote a book within a year of his harrowing experience, supposedly to profit off the tragedy when he has never spoken face-to-face with her about the last hours of her husband's life.
Schuyler has not spoken personally to any of the families of his friends, not just Mrs. Cooper. Bob Bleakley, father of Schuyler's best friend Will, and his former football teammate at the University of South Florida believes he knows why.
Bleakley told Tampa's ABC affiliate that, "Maybe it is too painful, maybe he is dealing with guilt, I don't know. But, we could not bring ourselves to ask him what happened and he could not bring himself to tell us."
For his part, Schuyler has said during interviews that dispelling rumors about the accident and the way each of his friends died was one of the reasons he decided to tell the story.
Nick has not even spoken to his own family at any length about his experiences and his father Stu wanted people to know that.
He called in on Thursday to the Jim Rome radio program to defend Nick against the criticism of Mrs. Cooper and others by trying to explain what his son's life has been like for the last year and how he has been gripped by numbing depression.
Another of Schuyler's motivations was precisely to try and give his friends' families some insight into what happened during the more than 40 hour ordeal, 70 miles off the coast of Clearwater, Florida. He was and still is unable to speak in any detail about the events.
As for his profit motive, Schuyler's book publicist as well as the young man's father, Stu, have said that the money is earmarked for various charities, including one that promotes boat safety.
No one has a patent on how to grieve, deal with awful pictures in your head about the death of friends while trying to live with memories that have a survivor continually wondering why he was chosen rather than the others.
Telling the story to a stranger who can piece it together in book form was the choice for Nick Schuyler. It might not be the same for everyone.
Tampa's ABC affiliate's story about Schuyler and Mrs. Cooper's letter can be found, here
The publisher's website for Not Without Hope can be found, here
Comments
Nick Schuyler has every right to write about this ordeal. It is as much his ordeal is it was his friends'. I feel bad for the families of the deceased, but I'm glad he has told his story.
Marquis Cooper's widow fails to understand that her husband made a "grave mistake" that cost his life and 2 others. Nick represented his point of view of that catastrophe and was very sensitive to not assign blame. He explains who was in charge, Marquis, and the decision that was made which capsized the boat. They were trying to save a $50 anchor. They had been drinking and someone's pride was obviously in the way of just cutting it and heading for home safely.
It's common for athletes and especially African American athletes and their families to never accept responsibility for their actions. It's as if "Na, Na, he didn't do nothing wrong" is an explanation.
If his widow wants to help, she can start a "boating safety awareness foundation" in Marquis's name and that would be the correct and appropriate thing to do. Stop blaming Nick for what your husband was responisble for. I'm sorry, but someone needs to put a boot.
PS - Paula Duffy, I think you did a great job with this article.
I feel like there's bizarre about this story that doesn't add up.
Nick Schuler is lucky to be alive! It makes me sick that anyone has anything negative to say about his ordeal or his book!
Reading the book now; seems they made a tremendous amount of mistakes - Cooper was responsible for the boat and his guests and while he may have been a good fisherman, he obviously was not skilled in boat safety. I was surprised to learn that Nick had only known the 2 NFL players for under 2 months. Will was, w/o a doubt, heroic in his efforts. So odd how they died so quickly. It does seem to not add up - but I doubt we'll ever know. I hope Nick is able to shake his guilt and live in peace.
Marquis Cooper's widow fails to understand that her husband made a "grave mistake" that cost his life and 2 others. Nick represented his point of view of that catastrophe and was very sensitive to not assess blame.
It's common for athletes and expecially African American athletes and families to never accept responsibility for their actions. It's as if "Na, Na, he didn't do nothing wrong" is an explanation.
If his widow wants to help, she can start a "boating safety awareness foundation" and that would be the correct and appropriate thing to do. Stop blaming Nick for what your husband was responisble for.
The NFL players died quickly because they had less body mass and had been drinking alcohol. Nick had more body fat and stayed out of the water more often. Also, he had layers of clothes which helped. All the things the NFL players did to be good athletes.. less body fat and cardiovascular training actually worked against them in resisting hypothermia. Then there was the drinking; Nick got sick and wasn't drinking alcohol like Marquis and the others.
Read the book!!!
I just finished reading Nick's book and can't imagine anyone being critical of his motives. I do understand the grief that Marquis' wife must be feeling, but it is clear that Nick is not gaining personal wealth from this book. After reading Nick's account of the ordeal, it seems as though the men did have a developing friendship and God did put them together on this trip for some reason. They were not fully prepared and that is a fact. I did not get the impression that Marquis' reputation was being dishonored. It was a horrible tragedy, but Nick should not be targeted as the bad guy here. I sincerely hope that Rebekah and Nick are able to reconnect someday and share happy memories about Marquis.
Could not put this book down, even though I already knew the ending. It is an more than honest recollection of the worse a human being can go through, and live to tell about it. All of the men's lives mattered, they all had purpose. God still had more for Nick left to do. Marquis, Corey, and Will were not any less important because they passed away, their work on earth was done. They will live on in their loved ones and this book is a tribute to them all. It is Nick's story to tell, and he did them well. May God continue to work in his life.
As a mother I kept thinking please share the orange jacket with your best friend.....But then maybe they would both of been lost????? Blessings to all the families..
I lost a 16 year old son.....I know MY SON would not of wanted me to go to his funeral....I picked out his coffin......that part was VERY HARD to read. maybe honest but insensitive for other mothers that HAD to bury their child. I wish Nick the best life has to offer and I am not judging him......His mother was very blessed so was his sister....
I saw the story today on Oprah, and at first I really had a lot of sympthany for Nick, but then I thought how strange it was that 3 out of 4 men took off their jackets. And how could Marquis experience hypothermia first when he was on top of the boat?? Maybe they all fought for a place on the boat, and Will was the last to tell what really happened. I hope not, but god how weird that everyone but him was affected in that way. It just seems off to me. And if he was such good friend with Marquuis, why didn't he give some money for his daughter, and at least some to the other families.
Nick, Will, Corey and Marquis were all only human. People that have never been in that God Awful situation should never play "Monday Morning Quarterback", saying that this person should have known better or that person should have did this differently...my God, they were ALL TRYING to make the best decisions they could every moment, and how many of us would have known not to try to pull an anchor up a certain way that probably was never brought up positively or negatively in boating class? Oh I am sure - we all know now! Really I don't know who has it worse, Will, Corey and Marquis who died,or Nick, who lived? I pray that the spirits of the Corey, Marquis, and Will come through to Nick so Nick will KNOW the 4 of them are still together. No matter what anyone says, this incident will haunt Nick for the rest of his life. I hope Nick can feel his friends' presences and know that all 4 of them are alive and well now - 1 on earth and 3 in spirit, and they will remain together happily.
Rebekah Cooper is wrong. The sad part is that she doesn't even realize it. She could make a difference, but she's too proud just like the parents to admit the truth- Marquis Cooper is ultimately responsible for what happened. He was the captain of the boat and responsible for everyones' safety..period.
Marquis was the one who could have made the differene. He did not make the right decision by trying to save the anchor. Every boater knows exaclty the foolish mistake he made. It was inexperience, pride, and maybe that invincible feeling that althletes possess. That invincibility wokrs on the football feild where the natural talent and physical ability matter. The sea deesn't recongizet that talent. It only makes you pay with your life when you make a critical mistake. It's the pride, the hope of what could have been, and maybe the african american denial of responsiblity because he was an athlete that his family still cannot acknowledege his responsibility for the outcome.
My heart goes out to Nick Schuyler, the Bleakley Family, the Cooper Family, and the Smith Family. What happened out there was a tragic accident...I followed this story closely when it happened, as my brother was an acquaintance of Will's. This week I read the book, I cried. How tragic a loss for all involved, how sad and desperate Nick must have felt after letting Will go. Devastating, the truth be told, Nick survived by wearing extra clothing, this fact was not realized until after it was analyzed or I am sure that he would have shared his warm clothing with his best friend. I am sure at the time, that orange jacket did not enter into his mind that it was what was keeping him alive. Marquis and Corey died in part because of their physical shape, they had LOW body fat, which means little insulation; Nick's insulation came from that coat. Will was a fighter, that's what kept him going in extreme conditions. All were heroes who worked together to fight for life. Bless their souls.
to be true with u nick ididnt read the book yet but ipromiss iwill your story is not just astory but it is your life so iwana say u did agreat job ihope your life be agrat life dear and god for give every one who says u did that for money
i too saw the oprah interview and my heart went out to nick. he looked tortured, there's no other word for it. can never forget those eyes .. they looked haunted. i really hope he is getting some help, some therapy. he can't do this on his own.
Cooper as the captain was responsible for the lives of those on his boat and he made a series of bad calls that led to this tragedy. I'll bet if Cooper had instead done something heroic Rebekah would have been writing her own book. The fact remains that Nick Schuyler has done NOTHING wrong and nothing to apologize for and is, in fact, a victim of Cooper's bad decision making - which is even more troublesome if he really was an experienced boat as Rebekah claims. Typical "christian" - it sounds good to bring God into the picture but how about some compassion Rebekah? Nick deserves all you have to give - get over yourself.
People who are commenting negatively about Nick need to show some compassion for him and his family. Fact is Rebekah Cooper is upset that her husband didn't survive and Nick did. It is a terrible situation for the families and everyone invloved, but she needs to stop attacking Nick because he was the only survivor. Nick is an amazing person and deserves nothing but praise for his strength and determination. He has been through so much so please quit with the negative remarks people. He wrote the book to tell his story. If he hadn't, then no one would know the truth about what really happened and people would continue to believe rumors that are untrue. My heart goes out to the families involved and to Nick.
I read the book, could not put it down. I cried like a baby!!! I could never imagine going thro something like that. I am glad he wrote the book, maybe it was a way of healing for him!!! Nobody was there with them thro that ordeal, noone knows what happened except for the soul surviver that endured so much within those 43 hrs, whos to say anything about it, its not our place!!! He told it the best he could remember, im sure his mind was a little off after being in the water that long with nothing to eat or drink!!! He told it the best he could remember, and im glad he did!!! my prayer go out to the families, especially to you nick who has to cope with what will haunt him for the rest of his life!!!
Nick is a fraud. He survived because the others took care of him. He sat on that hull and let everyone else work to save him...spoiled. He's in love with himself and has the biggest ego about his 6'2" 240lb frame that I've ever seen. He's a parasitic leech drawn to successful athletes so he could run around and tell everyone who he was friends with. His ego was inflated even further because some NFLers actually befriended him. And now he's making $$ at the expense of the deceased family's pain. Funny how he mentions God about 100 times, yet cusses like a sailor in the book and never publicly thanks Him for a second chance at life. Whatever...
lets all thank God atleast he gave us back one person... we all know God gives and he takes....God gave Nick time to know him more n to ... i even don't know what to write... thanks God for the good times we shared....
I read the book and it doesn't add up he makes it out like he is a hero
and basically paints himself a hero I think he did something
to the others or at least Cooper . Maybe if the bodies of one
of them are found we will get some real answers
why did he want the search called off anyway and why was he the
only one with a life jacket. Food for thought
we
know
I think he is a murderer not a hero I think he killed the others
When this first came out, it didn't make sense to me. I do believe Nick fought for his OWN life, while the others did their best to help fight for everyone. Why did Nick remove the life jackets of the others? When Nick was found, why didn’t he tell the other families and Coast Guard that they were all dead and never to be found? I’m sure the Cooper family would not have extended the search if they know that. It’s disturbing what Nick has done AFTER the incident. Did Rebekah Cooper even know he was writing a book? Wouldn’t he have to get her permission? Why hasn’t he told anyone of the foundation in memory of Marquis Cooper where the proceeds actually do go to his daughter? Did he really actually spend time with Marquis’ daughter and babysit as he said on HBO or was that just to make him look good? I’m sure Nick does know why Mrs. Cooper is upset and won’t talk to him. I feel for all the families and the Cooper’s daughter for loosing her daddy that she will never see and know.
What has Nick done with his life after the incident? Looks like he wrote a book, or had a "ghost writer" just to profit from. He should have told all of the families and had their blessings before starting the book. Especially if he never told the families what happened but yet he can tell all in a book. Why hasn't he sought professional help? To me it's because he had something to do with the men on the boat. He should try and be close to the Cooper girl, but then again it seems like he hardly know Marquis and Corey anyway. He should at least have some of the profits going to the little girl. It seems like he just wanted to be friends with the NFL players to get their business and say he knows them. It's what he is doing with his life AFTER the boating tragedy that means something. Why didn't he proprose to his longtime girlfriend? Is he still with her? Or running around with various women? Does he go to church and thank god that he survived?
i doubt if he hardley knew maquis they would have gone on a fishing trip together,how do you know he didnt seek professonial help?you asked why didnt propose to the girl but then you asked he they were still together cause you dont know any of that..open your mouth when you know what your talking about not when you dont know nothing at all
I havent read the book yet, but i wanna say Nick did a really good job, i watch the Oprah show and she was interviewing him. Thank God he is still alive. I really cant wait to read the book.
Nick is being crucified for supposedly 'profoting' from this tragedy. People ned to realize, this was his tragedy, too.
Exactly.
I honestly think that Nick Schuyler has every right to write the book, but he should have told the family of the deceased boater, because it makes it look like he was just trying to make the book just for his profit.
Wow. I realy think Nick tried hs best saving the others to no avail. Look at it this way,COREY nd MARQUIS experinced the worst reactionz because they had more muscle and less fat. I cannot try to even imagine experincng such a devastating feeling as nick did... Best love 2 nick,and to all of his friends who died during the accident,may the Lord rest your souls..
Wow. I realy think Nick tried hs best saving the others to no avail. Look at it this way,COREY nd MARQUIS experinced the worst reactionz because they had more muscle and less fat. I cannot try to even imagine experincng such a devastating feeling as nick did... Best love 2 nick,and to all of his friends who died during the accident,may the Lord rest your souls..
Marquis Cooper's widow fails to understand that her husband made a "grave mistake" that cost his life and 2 others. Nick represented his point of view of that catastrophe and was very sensitive to not assess blame.
It's common for athletes and expecially African American athletes and families to never accept responsibility for their actions. It's as if "Na, Na, he didn't do nothing wrong" is an explanation.
If his widow wants to help, she can start a "boating safety awareness foundation" and that would be the correct and appropriate thing to do. Stop blaming Nick for what your husband was responisble for.
The sea is a cruel mistress. I spent @ 10 years in the Navy and we trained EVERY DAY to prevent and deal with accidents and emergencies, but they still occurred. It's no place for an amateur, not even a physically superior one. The fact that even one of these boys survived is just amazing. A gift from the fickle finger of fate.
you guys that are being so harsh on nick the real question you need to ask yoursleves is what would you do put into a situation like that..some of you that are calling him a murderer would prob hade been one themselves if put in the same situation prob the people calling him a fraud havent been a a nowhere near death expierence...shame on you guys its a miracle he lived after 42 hours of stormy seas and no food or whater with freezing temps...and honestley dont think he did that but im sure there was some fighting to survive going on seriously people grow up.
I just closed my eyes for a moment and tried to imagine being out there, the Gulf of Mexico, clinging to a capsized boat as nightfall creeps in, then morning, then again as it repeats itself. Water temps changing, water (salt water at that so U cant drink it) splashing u in your nose and mouth and you're absolutly EXHAUSTED from hanging on, arm so sore and muscle spasms from the same position for how many days? Soooo hungry, soooo thirsty, defecating on yourself in the water,dayum near drowning yourself repeadedly as U possibly see fins of sharks emerge, coming at you. And immedietly, I opened my eyes terrified. The thought alone just scared the shit out of me. That was HIS ordeal as much as it was theirs and if he parished and one of them survived their families wouldnt feel its wrong for him to write a book. He is sharing his experience, his ordeal, one that has changed his life forever, with the world. What is he supposed to do, pay for the book publishing and everything else that goes along with it out his own pocket? Its therapudic. People alwayssssssssssssssss wanna turn moehills into mountains, make accidents into possibly homicides or "suspcious deaths" (i.e. Coopers wife) but from my understanding, she didnt waste anytime rushing to collect on that insurance. Now I understand that she has a child to look after and services need to be paid, but U cant tell me they didnt have a sizable JOINT account! They were married for peets sake. No conspiracy here folks...sorry.
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