Ryan Mallett, a former NFL and University of Arkansas quarterback, is said to have drowned. He was 35 years old at the time.
According to Arkansas’ Deltaplex News, Mallett was taken from a beach near Destin, Florida, to a nearby hospital after the incident, where he was pronounced dead. Local reporters were informed of Mallett’s death by officials from the White Hall School District, where he worked. Mallett was the head football coach at White Hall High School at the time.
Mallett began his undergraduate career as a freshman at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas for two seasons. The New England Patriots selected him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Houston Texans, and New York Jets.
Mallett, a native of Batesville, Arkansas, was one of the top high school quarterbacks in the state’s history. He committed to Michigan and appeared in 11 games as a freshman backup to Chad Henne. After Michigan coach Lloyd Carr retired, he transferred to Arkansas and played as a sophomore and junior for the Razorbacks. He declared for the NFL draft following his junior season.
Mallett saw limited action as a backup to Tom Brady before being dealt to the Texans in 2014. He appeared in nine games, including six starts, for the Texas Rangers before being released midseason in 2015. He then signed with the Ravens, where he appeared in eight games, including two starts, during the season.
Football world reacts to Mallett’s death
Friends, teammates, opponents, and organizations from Mallett’s football career expressed their condolences following his passing.
