Former Miami Dolphins Fullback Swam 9 Miles Back to Shore after Boating Accident
OutdoorHub Reporters 01.12.15
Paying homage to the name of his old team, former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad swam a staggering nine miles back to shore after he fell off his boat during a fishing trip last Wednesday. According to WPBF, Konrad was caught off-balance while trying to reel in a fish off southern Florida. The athlete-turned-financial adviser attempted to get back onto his boat, but the 36-feet Grady White was on autopilot and he was unable to reach it in time. With few other options, Konrad spent 10 hours swimming back to shore.
“He was lucky he was able to swim 9 miles throughout the night in the dark in the frigid waters,” Mark Barney, a spokesman for the US Coast Guard, told Syracuse.com. “He was pretty exhausted.”
WPTV reported that a Coast Guard helicopter was sent out to search for the missing athlete when his personal assistant reported him overdue. Konrad later told police that he saw the helicopter flying overhead, but was unable to signal it. Officials said that Konrad made it to land in the early morning, and sought help from the first house he could reach. Police officers arrived and transported him to a local hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia. He was reportedly found barefoot and only wearing his underwear.
Konrad played for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins, and was the last player to wear the number 44 before it was officially retired. He played for the Dolphins from 1999 to 2004, after which he went on to found his own asset management company.
