(Above Image Credit: The Athletic)

Ryan Mallett, a former quarterback in Arkansas and the NFL, died at 35 years old almost two weeks ago after drowning at a Florida beach.

The Okaloosa County sheriff’s office reported that first responders received a call around 2:12 PM local time to a beach in Destin, FL. A group of people swam in the Gulf of Mexico near a sandbar and struggled to get back to shore.

As they pulled him out of the water, they identified Mallett as one of the individuals in the group. He wasn’t breathing and was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Various names and organizations took to social media to express their condolences. White Hall, the Arkansas school district where Mallett coached high school football, issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett. 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.”

The Arkansas football team also issued a statement on his passing:

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. He was a Razorback legend with a 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.”

Football Career

Mallett transferred to the University of Arkansas from the University of Michigan in 2009. He threw for nearly 7,500 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons.

Additionally, the New England Patriots selected him as the 74th pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played 24 snaps as Tom Brady’s backup QB before getting traded to the Houston Texans in 2014. He started in six games before his release in October 2015. Finally, he played with the Baltimore Ravens through 2017.

Overall, he started eight games in his 21 appearances in the NFL. He completed 190 out of his 345 attempts for 1,835 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Last year, the White Hall High School football team in Arkansas hired him as their head coach.