Former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad’s account of a boating accident that left him nine miles offshore was supported by an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Commission released a report on Wednesday regarding Konrad’s Jan. 7 incident and said no charges or violations were issued.
Investigators interviewed Konrad, who recounted being knocked off his boat by a wave while fishing and swimming for nearly 16 hours before reaching shore. An investigation is typical for boating accidents, a Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesperson said.
Konrad, “initially tried to swim back to the boat but was unable to catch up to it,” the report said. “He then altered his plan and decided to swim west, towards the sun and the shore.”
The report offers a timeline of Konrad’s accident, from his falling into the water at approximately 12:30 p.m. to his reaching shore at 4:22 a.m. It also says he was hospitalized for hypothermia, dehydration and Rhabdomyolysis, which is muscle fibers breaking down.
“I shouldn’t be here,” Konrad said at a Jan. 11 news conference to discuss the accident. “I’m grateful and thankful to be here.”
The U.S. Coast Guard was contacted on July 9 by the Bahamian Government that Konrad’s 30-foot boat was found in the Grand Bahamas around Dead Man’s Reef. The Florida Fish and Wildlife report says the boat was returned and suffered an estimated $70,000 in damage.
Konrad started 57 games for the Dolphins from 1998 to 2004.