Packers sources: Body of coach’s son found

OSHKOSH - Packers sources tell FOX 11 the players were told the body recovered Monday afternoon was that of Michael Philbin.

He is the 21-year-old son of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

Former Packers Vice President of Finance and current ESPN contributor Andrew Brandt also tweeted that information late Monday afternoon.

He wrote, "talked with Packer employees and friends of Philbin's. Body found in river was Michael Philbin's. So terribly sad."

Neither the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office nor the Oshkosh Police Department will say publicly that the body is that of Michael Philbin. They say the investigation remains open, though they have positively identified the body. Officials don't believe foul play was a factor.

Authorities lined the shores of the Fox River Monday afternoon as officers pulled a man's body from the river after a two-day search. The man, who is believed to be Michael Philbin, was seen falling through the ice early Sunday morning.

"The subject fit the description of the 20-25 year old male reported by the security guard at AxleTech who was reportedly in the waterway," said Captain Todd Christie with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

"Police detectives have made positive identification of the body of a male recovered from the Fox River today," said Officer Joseph Nichols of the Oshkosh Police Department. "The name is not being released as this time, pending notification and wishes of the family."

While authorities won't officially make the connection, Packers sources tell FOX 11 the body is indeed Philbin's. Late Sunday night, a missing person report was filed for Philbin. Police say he was in town over the weekend visiting friends at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He was last seen around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

While they don't confirm the body is that of Philbin, Packers players have been sending out tweets of support for their coach and his family.

T.J. Lang tweeted, "As children we all have to someday say goodbye to our parents, but a parent should never have to say goodbye to their child."

On Twitter, B.J. Raji said, "Life is too short... Live in the present."

Head Coach Mike McCarthy also commented on the situation at his press conference Monday afternoon.

"We're supporting Joe and his family the best we can and we're all hoping this comes to the best possible conclusion," McCarthy said.

Philbin was a student at Ripon College. He was registered to take classes beginning next week. Philbin made the dean's list his first two years at the school. That means he had a grade point average of at least 3.4.

Michael Philbin's name has been in the news in the past. In 2009, he was sentenced to six months in jail after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenagers. The incidents happened at a party he hosted at his parents' house. He did not have to register as a sex offender.