Ryan Mallett, former Arkansas and NFL quarterback, dies at 35 - The Washington Post
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Ryan Mallett, former Arkansas and NFL quarterback, dies at 35

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Ryan Mallett, pictured in 2016 with the Ravens, played five seasons in the NFL. He died Tuesday at 35. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)
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Ryan Mallett, who spent five seasons in the NFL as a quarterback after a standout college career at Arkansas, died Tuesday. He was 35.

The death was an apparent drowning, the Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday night. First responders were called to a beach in Destin at around 2:12 p.m. after a group of people were spotted struggling to make their way back to the shore. Mallett was in the group, police said, and was not breathing when lifeguards pulled him out of the water. He was pronounced dead at a Destin hospital.

Since last year, Mallett had worked as a teacher and head football coach at White Hall High in Arkansas.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” White Hall School District said in a statement. “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.”

Mallett, who was selected in the third round of the 2011 draft by the New England Patriots, threw for 1,835 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 21 games over five NFL seasons. He was traded to the Houston Texans in 2014 and appeared in nine games before being released in October 2015.

He signed with the Baltimore Ravens that December, appearing in eight games over three seasons. He took his final NFL snap in 2017. In 2021, Mallett played in the developmental Spring League.

“The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” the league said on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

“The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the team tweeted. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mallett family,” the Texans tweeted.

Mallett began his collegiate career at Michigan in 2007 and then transferred to Arkansas. After sitting out a year, he capped off the 2009 season with Liberty Bowl MVP honors. In 2010, Mallett threw for 3,869 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to lead the Razorbacks to their second 10-win season in 20 years and a Sugar Bowl appearance against Ohio State.

“Our Razorback family lost an incredibly special person today,” Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek said on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett.”

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” the Arkansas football program tweeted Tuesday. “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.”

Former MLB infielder Will Middlebrooks, who, like Mallett, attended high school in Texarkana, Tex., paid tribute to his friend on social media. Middlebrooks played for the Boston Red Sox from 2012 through 2014 while Mallett was with the Patriots.

“I lost my best friend today,” Middlebrooks wrote on Twitter. “Someone who has stuck by my side since we were just kids. The most competitive, hard headed, fun loving person I ever met. Nothing prepares you for this. I was lucky to have him for as long as I did. Rest in Love One-Five. We love you.”

Although details of the drowning have not emerged, rip currents have claimed the lives of 11 people within the past two weeks along the Gulf Coast, according to CNN, amid warnings from officials about hazardous conditions. The deaths have occurred along the Gulf of Mexico between Fort Morgan, Ala., and Panama City Beach, Fla., the National Weather Service said. Destin lies between those two areas.