Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has died after a “drowning incident” in Florida. He was 35.
According to KNWA, Mallett was vacationing at a Destin, Fla. beach at the time of the incident. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. No other information has been released.
News of Mallett’s death was first reported by Deltaplex News. Reports were later confirmed by Gary Williams, the superintendent of White Hall High School in White Hall, Ark. where Mallett went to high school and was now the head football coach.
Mallett was a five-star recruit out of his Texarkana, Texas high school. The big-armed signal-caller started his college football career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas, where he was named All-SEC second team in back-to-back seasons. He was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He also played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens before retiring after the 2017 season.
He was named head coach for the White Hall High School football team in February of 2022.
“Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett,” former Texans teammate JJ Watt tweeted. “Gone way too soon. Rest in peace brother.”
Former Patriots teammate Brandon Bolden expressed shock at the news on social media. “This is crazy and still unreal. My first roommate when I made the team. Rest up bro,” he wrote.
The NFL released a short statement Tuesday evening.
“The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the league wrote on Twitter.
