Former Arkansas and Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett died on Tuesday by drowning at a Destin, Florida, beach.
According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were called to the beach around 2 p.m. ET when reports came in that a group of people swimming in the Gulf of Mexico near a sandbar struggled to make their way back to shore.
The 35-year-old was not unresponsive and was not breathing when he was pulled out of the water. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. `
“One of the individuals, an adult male, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when pulled out,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Lifesaving measures were immediately undertaken but the man was pronounced deceased at the Destin Emergency Room.”
“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” Arkansas said in a statement posted to Twitter. “He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match. He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Debbie and his extended family.”
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” White Hall, the Arkansas school district where Mallett coached high school football, wrote in a post on its website. “Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.”
Ryan Mallett played for the University of Michigan for one season before moving to Arkansas, where he passed for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons. As a redshirt sophomore in 2009 under coach Bobby Petrino, he led the Razorbacks to an 8-5 record and win in the Liberty Bowl, for which he earned Offensive MVP honors.
He had his best season when he threw for 3,869 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 64.7 completion percentage, earning second-team All-SEC honors for a second straight year. He finished seventh in voting for the 2010 Heisman Trophy.
The New England Patriots picked Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft, at No. 74 overall. “He’s won everywhere he’s been — high school, college. He’s an impressive guy to talk to”, coach Bill Belichick said then.
Belichick said he was “extremely saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing” and offered his thoughts and prayers to Mallett’s family “and the many people whose lives he touched.”
Mallett started his coaching career after the end of his playing days. He was preparing for his second season as the head coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas.
