Ryan Mallett Dead: NFL star dies at age 35

Former NFL star Ryan Mallett has passed away. He was 35.

The White Hall School District in Arkansas, where Mallett worked as a varsity football head coach, first confirmed the athlete’s death on Tuesday, June 27. through their official Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett. Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator,” the post read. Hall School District in your prayers.”

The Okaloosa Country Sheriff’s Office first announced on Tuesday that a tourist had died in an apparent drowning off the coast of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin, Florida. “A group of individuals were reportedly struggling off the coast when a man went down,” read their official Twitter page at the time. “He wasn’t breathing when lifeguards found him and pulled him out. Tragically, life-saving measures were unsuccessful.”

Sheriff’s office later confirmed via Twitter that “tThe victim is being identified as 35-year-old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas.” They added: “We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and loved ones on his tragic passing.”

Mallett, who played quarterback for the University of Arkansas, was drafted as a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2011 and served as a backup to Tom Brady for four years. He was later traded to the Houston Texans before playing with the Baltimore Ravens from 2015 to 2017.

Following the news of his death, the Patriots shared a heartfelt tribute to their former teammate via Twitter. “The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett.” the team tweeted on Tuesday alongside a photo of Mallet in the signature uniform. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all those mourning his loss.”

JJ Wattswho played with the Arkansas native on the Texans, also took to social media to honor his former teammate, tweet, “Terrible news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest in peace brother.”

The athletic director of the University of Arkansas, Hunter Yurachekfor his part, said the school “lost an incredibly special person” on Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan Mallett’s family, friends and teammates,” Yurachek tweeted at the time.

Mallett appeared in 21 games, went 3-5 as a starter and amassed 1,835 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions in the span of his NFL career.

After retiring from professional football in 2017, Mallet was hired at White Hall High School in 2022 after beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Mountain Home High School.

“I always knew I was going to coach,” Mallett said after being named head coach at White Hall The Democratic Gazette of Arkansas at the time. “It just comes naturally to me. I understand. I understand how everything works, and then I just love football. You teach children the right way at a young age, and I really like that.”