Former NFL quarterback, Ryan Mallett, 35, died in an accident at the beach in Destin, Florida on June 27.
Mallett was trying to swim to a sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico when the accident occurred, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported.
An urgent 911 call made by a beach attendant at approximately 2:12 pm informed the authorities of the perilous situation – six swimmers, including Mallett, were struggling to reach the shore.
Lifeguards on the scene sprang into action when Mallett submerged, but their attempts at rescue were tragically unsuccessful.
The Sheriff’s office clarified that there were no rip currents present at the time of the tragic incident.
Emergency services transported Mallett to a nearby hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The unexpected news has left the NFL community in deep mourning.
In response to the tragic news, the NFL extended its deepest sympathies to Mallett’s family and loved ones in an official statement. The New England Patriots, where Mallett began his NFL career, also expressed their grief and shared a commemorative photo of Mallett in his Patriots gear.
J.J. Watt, Mallett’s ex-teammate from the Houston Texans, expressed his shock and grief on Twitter, lamenting the premature nature of Mallett’s passing.
Mallett carved out a memorable career at the University of Arkansas in 2009 and 2010 before being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2011. He later played for the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens before stepping away from the NFL. In 2022, he shifted gears to coaching, leading the White Hall High School football team in Arkansas. His sudden demise has left a lasting impact on the football community.
