Oshkosh, WI (Sports Network) - Multiple reports say the body pulled from a
Wisconsin river Monday is that of the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers
offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.
Authorities were searching for Michael Philbin after he was reported missing
Sunday night. He had been visiting friends in Oshkosh the previous evening and
was last heard from around 2 a.m. local time Sunday, police said.
Citing sources, several media outlets reported a body recovered from the Fox
River Monday afternoon by a Winnebago County rescue/recovery team was Michael
Philbin's.
The Oshkosh Northwestern said the name of the person would not be released by
authorities pending notification and the wishes of family. Further information
regarding the identity of the person will be released on Tuesday.
News that Michael Philbin was missing came as the top-seeded Packers prepared
for Sunday's playoff game against the New York Giants in the NFC divisional
round.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke somberly of the situation during his press
conference.
"The Philbin family is obviously going through a tough time right now. As we
always have, we're a family first philosophy with our organization and with
our program," McCarthy said. "We're supporting Joe and his family as best we
can and we're holding out hope that this comes to a positive conclusion."
McCarthy said Joe Philbin was in Oshkosh. He said the team would be "prepared
to do whatever we need to as a staff to make sure our football team is ready
to go" against the Giants.
"We'll be ready," McCarthy said.
Also Monday, Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement that the
team was aware of the missing person report and that its thoughts and prayers
were with Philbin family.
The Packers had the No. 3 offense in the NFL under Joe Philbin this season.
The coordinator and his wife, Diane, have six children.
The Sports Network