Fmr. Dolphins Player Swims 9 Miles After Being Knocked Off His Boat
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Former Dolphins player Robert Konrad, after being tossed by a large wave off his boat, allowed his survivor instincts takeover as he made his way back to shore.
Death was not an option for Robert Konrad, who once was a fullback for the Miami Dolphins, when he fell off his boat while on a fishing trip. Nothing on the field, Konrad said, was as grueling as the nine miles he had to swim to safety.
"After panicking for a minute, I realized I was in trouble. I was 9 miles out, my boat was on autopilot heading east toward the Bahamas," Konrad said.
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While treading water Konrad realized he had to swim—or die waiting for help.
Hours into his ordeal, help was just 50 yards away when a fishing boat passed nearby—but nobody noticed him.
"To have the boat come that close and not hear you or see you was just…you had to get your mind right at that point in time," Konrad said.
Konrad missed a second opportunity for rescue when a Coast Guard helicopter got close—but didn't see him. That's when he knew he was on his own, alone in the darkness. He continued with the breaststroke and then the backstroke—but it was one thing that gave him the extra push.
"Look, I've got beautiful daughters. I was hitting that shore," Konrad said.
Konrad's wife Tammy was frantic, knowing her husband was out there somewhere, but had faith he would make it.
"My husband is an increbile family guy. Our children are his world. I could feel he was fighting," said Tammy Konrad.
"He had two angels on his back. It's truly a miracle," said Tammy Konrad.
At 4:30 Friday morning, Konrad made it to shore. He was hurting, but undoubtedly grateful to be alive.
"I shouldn't be here…16 hours in the water and I think I ended up traveling 27 miles," said Konrad.
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