GREEN BAY, Wis. — According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Green Bay Packers were informed Monday that 21-year-old Michael Philbin, the son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin who had been missing since early Sunday morning, is dead.
A body of a man between 20 and 25 years old was found in the Fox River near the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Monday afternoon. Police say they will not publicly identify the body until Tuesday, but ESPN is reporting a source close to the family has said the body is that of Michael Philbin.
The Winnebago County Sherrif's Department said a security guard at an Oshkosh business along the Fox River saw a man on the ice early Sunday morning yelling for help. Philbin had been reported missing Sunday evening after visiting friends on Saturday night in nearby Oshkosh and was last heard from at 2 a.m. Sunday morning.
As the team was preparing for its divisional round playoff matchup with the New York Giants, it was announced Monday morning that the Philbin was missing.
Philbin reportedly made a call to a friend at 2 a.m. Sunday but didn't say where he was. Oshkosh Police spokesman Joseph Nichols said that call did not sound as if Philbin was in any sort of trouble. Philbin never returned to his car later that day and did not contact anyone, which led to police being contacted.
During coach Mike McCarthy's Monday afternoon press conference, he said that Joe Philbin was in Oshkosh and not with the team.
"We're a family-first philosophy with our organization, with our program," McCarthy said. "We're holding out hope that this comes to a positive conclusion."
With open locker rooms scheduled to begin 30 minutes later for media availability, the Packers suddenly canceled it so as not to put the players in a difficult position to answer questions about the situation.
"The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin," general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time."
As reports turned dire, several Packers began to post messages on Twitter.
Offensive tackle T.J. Lang: "As children we all have to someday say goodbye to our parents, but a parent should never have to say goodbye to their child."
Nose tackle B.J. Raji: "Life is too short...Live in the present."
Offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse: "Tell someone you love them asap, you never know what tomorrow brings."
Joe Philbin recently interviewed for the Kansas City Chiefs head coaching job -- which was filled on Monday by Romeo Crennel -- and has been in consideration for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching position, as well. He has been with Green Bay since 2003 and in the role of offensive coordinator since 2007.
If Philbin is unavailable for the team’s game this Sunday, McCarthy said there is a contingency plan in place. McCarthy calls the plays for the Packers, but Philbin helps in a support role.
“We’re prepared to do whatever we need to do as a staff to make sure our football team is ready to go,” McCarthy said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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