77 Year Old New York Jets Player dies in a fishing accident

[Captain Phil]

Pete Lammons, former NY Jets Super Bowl winning player, died by drowning after he fell off of a fishing boat during a Major League Fishing Event on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed Lammons’ identity and an autopsy was ordered.

 

As a 74 year old, this news report made me reflect on my own life.  While we do not know all the facts, there are some things  we all share.    No one wants to admit their own mortality   I no longer fish alone.  I stopped when my old fishing buddy slipped and fell off the dock at his own home.   If his wife had not come by at that exact moment, he wouldn't be around to tell the story.   Pete was a long time tournament participant fishing his 57th MLF tournament. There are worse ways to die than when you are doing something you love.   

[Eric 26]

This is truly a shame.

[Deleted account]

Old guys shouldn't fish alone.

[MGF]

It's a dangerous world especially for the very young and the very old. I'm only 62 but I'm not what I once was and I don't do everything that I used to do. I worry about my father who just turned 83. He does a lot of things alone...walks, bikes and fishes. I won't try to tell him not to. If he didn't do those things alone he wouldn't get to do them.

[Captain Phil]

11 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Old guys shouldn't fish alone.

The news report said Pete was an observer in this tournament, so he wasn't fishing alone.  The problem is no one thinks they are old until something happens.  When it does, you are a long way from help.  

[Deleted account]

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

The news report said Pete was an observer in this tournament, so he wasn't fishing alone.  The problem is no one thinks they are old until something happens.  When it does, you are a long way from help.  

No, I meant all old guys should not fish alone, they should be supervised, or at least accompanied while raging. 

 

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

[rangerjockey]

I'll wait until all the details are out before blaming it on the mans age. 

He could have had some sort of medical issue and fallen in. Was he wearing a PFD ect.

Thoughts and Prayer for him and his family,

 

[Bird]

Yes, prayers for his family and friends. 

 

Drowning is not age related by any means.

As an aging solo fisherman, I do limit the risks and always wear a PFD.

[the reel ess]

On 5/1/2021 at 4:20 PM, Captain Phil said:

Pete Lammons, former NY Jets Super Bowl winning player, died by drowning after he fell off of a fishing boat during a Major League Fishing Event on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed Lammons’ identity and an autopsy was ordered.

 

As a 74 year old, this news report made me reflect on my own life.  While we do not know all the facts, there are some things  we all share.    No one wants to admit their own mortality   I no longer fish alone.  I stopped when my old fishing buddy slipped and fell off the dock at his own home.   If his wife had not come by at that exact moment, he wouldn't be around to tell the story.   Pete was a long time tournament participant fishing his 57th MLF tournament. There are worse ways to die than when you are doing something you love.   

I always tell my wife that, God forbid I die while fishing, please don't sue the landowner. I would have died doing what I like. There was an old man who crappie fished on the same reservoir I bass fish. He died in his jonboat out fishing. My buddy told me he found that guy's minnow bucket floating a couple days later. He said it had a crappie in it. So he caught something on his final day. Not too shabby.

 

To your point I always tell the wife where I'm going and about how long I'll be. Then I usually stay longer. When I tell her 4 hours, she knows it's 5.

[YoTone]

On 5/1/2021 at 4:20 PM, Captain Phil said:

 There are worse ways to die than when you are doing something you love.   

Not really. I mean besides succumbing to a disease that youve been suffering for years, downing is one of scariest things to die from in my opinion.

[Captain Phil]

Billy Graham once said that he wasn't afraid to die, he feared the process.  

[TnRiver46]

35 minutes ago, YoTone said:

Not really. I mean besides succumbing to a disease that youve been suffering for years, downing is one of scariest things to die from in my opinion.

Make sure to wear your styrofoam armor when entering battle and the odds go down significantly 

[geo g]

I'm sure as an observer he would try to stick out any discomfort he was experiencing.  He would not say, stop fishing and take me in.  This might have been part of the problem.  At this point time will tell. 

[Bankc]

I've always wondered why tournaments don't require anglers to wear a PFD while fishing.  They usually require it while the motor is running, but on those bass boats, you're a lot more likely to fall out when you're standing on the deck, fishing.  And there's not much to grab if you lose your balance.  A lot of times you'll be drifting or running a trolling motor, so you're still in motion.  One bad stump can send you swimming and two bad stumps can send you sinking.  I don't think it should be a law, but I think it would set a good example to see the pros wearing a PFD.  

 

In any case, I feel for that man's family and friends.  Since I don't know what happened to him, I can't say that a PFD would have made a difference, or even if he was wearing one.  It's just a thought I've had a few times watching the TV.  I've known a few people who have drowned, and while none were fishing, or even boating at the time, all were strong swimmers.  

[lo n slo]

3 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I always tell my wife that, God forbid I die while fishing, please don't sue the landowner. I would have died doing what I like. There was an old man who crappie fished on the same reservoir I bass fish. He died in his jonboat out fishing. My buddy told me he found that guy's minnow bucket floating a couple days later. He said it had a crappie in it. So he caught something on his final day. Not too shabby.

 

To your point I always tell the wife where I'm going and about how long I'll be. Then I usually stay longer. When I tell her 4 hours, she knows it's 5.

there’s an on-going sentiment among my family and friends that that is how they’ll find me one day. i’m 62 now and fish alone much of the time. i ain’t close to slowing down either.

[the reel ess]

3 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Billy Graham once said that he wasn't afraid to die, he feared the process.  

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go today.