Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett dies at 35 in drowning accident

The NFL world has been left heartbroken after former three-team quarterback Ryan Mallett died on Wednesday.

Ryan Mallett died in a drowning accident. Picture: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has died at age 35.

Mallett died in a drowning accident around Destin, Florida, the Deltaplex News in Arkansas reported Wednesday.

He was transported from a beach to a hospital, and pronounced dead on arrival, multiple sources told the outlet, the NY Post reports.

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Mallett played one season at the University of Michigan before starring at the University of Arkansas from 2008-10.

He was subsequently selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Patriots.

In a career that spanned through 2017, Mallett appeared in games for the Patriots, Texans and Ravens. He had eight career NFL starts.

Several of Mallett’s ex-NFL teammates shared their grief.

“Tough one to swallow,” former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman tweeted. “Thoughts are with the family.”

“Rest in peace Ryan Mallet! Gone way too soon, sending my condolences to his family!,” longtime New England running back James White wrote.

“Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett,” retired All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt, who caught Mallett’s first career touchdown pass in 2014 with the Texans, tweeted.

“Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother.”

The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FvdhQmrTh6

— NFL (@NFL) June 27, 2023

The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss. pic.twitter.com/TUpa7cpXoS

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 27, 2023

Man…

Rest Easy Ryan Mallett.. I had the opportunity to have a few beers with Ryan and I always appreciated his kindness.

WE NEVER KNOW WHEN OUR TIME IS COMING… life is finite. Let’s never forget that. pic.twitter.com/LAhBJ1xnU5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 27, 2023

Since February of last year, Mallett had been the head football coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas.

“Our @RazorbackFB family lost an incredibly special person today,” Hunter Yurachek, the director of athletics at the school, said in a tweet. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback.”

Last month, Mallett spoke to Whole Hog Sports about his maturation process in becoming a coach.

“I hope I’m a man now,” he said. “I’m 35. That’s halfway to 70.

“I did a lot of things as a kid. I know how to conduct my business now.

“My job is to help shape and mold young people. This is the time a lot of them are finding out about themselves. I hope I can help them.”

He was following in the footsteps of his family.

“Everyone in my family – my dad and his brothers – go by Coach,” he said. “Coach Mallett, that’s all I’ve ever heard. I was going to be a coach.

Ryan Mallett died in a drowning accident. (Photo by: 2017 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

“I started going to practices as a toddler. My earliest memory of a practice was going to one of my dad’s practices and I climbed on the blocking rack and got my head stuck. I was hanging from my head and they had to pull me out.”

He also spoke about his football mentors.

“I learned offense from Coach [Bobby] Petrino,” Mallett told the outlet. “I learned defense from Coach [Bill] Belichick. I had good leadership at Mountain Home the last few years. I learned about the importance of community and how to talk to parents. I learned to explain their child’s talents.

“You have to explain they might not be a DI athlete. They all believe they are.”

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.