Exclusive interview with Isaiah Ekejiuba: Special teams ace talks about Marquis Cooper
In an exclusive interview with SBReport.net, Oakland Raiders’ special team ace Isaiah Ekejiuba talked about his missing teammate Marquis Cooper.
On Thursday, I had the opportunity to ask Ekejiuba about his relationship with Cooper and what were some recollections of his mate.
“Quiet guy, quiet type. And it was a short period of time but he gelled quickly. And there was nobody that talked to him, a player or coach, that didn’t like Marquis. He was that type of guy,” stated Ekejiuba.
Just recently, Cooper’s wife, Rebekah, filed a petition for a presumptive death certificate in civil court a week after the Coast Guard called off its search for the missing boater and two friends.
Cooper departed from Clearwater Pass in a 21-foot boat with free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith and two former University of South Florida football players on Feb. 28.
Their boat overturned after encountering rough waters in the Gulf of Mexico and since, only Nick Schuyler was found clinging to the boat days later while the other men have not been located.
The Raiders on March 3rd released a statement stating:
We continue to hold out hope that Marquis Cooper, Will Bleakley and Corey Smith will be located and rescued.
However, with the Coast Guard’s decision to cease search and rescue efforts, we are faced with the reality that this mission may not turn out the way that we all desire.
Again, the Raiders would like to express our deep appreciation to all involved in the search and rescue efforts.
We also wish to express gratitude to everyone around the world who has offered their support. We ask everyone to continue to remember these men and their families in their thoughts and prayers.
Ekejiuba fondly remembered during our conversation Cooper’s disposition stating, “We used to go over to Sam Williams’ house and he showed us pictures of his wife and daughter. And he was just real proud. There was an air about him when he spoke about his family. And you appreciate that and a lot of guys that age don’t have their life together. But he had everything together.”
He continued, “He was a great friend. He will definitely be missed. His family misses him. I miss him personally. We became real cool.”
Everyone at SBReport.net will continue to keep the families of those suffering in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to keep these men in our hearts and hope that the families get through this situation, remembering the good times and precious moments they shared.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
