Former NFL quarterback Mallet died in likely drowning in Florida

Former Arkansas University quarterback Ryan Mallett, 35, has died in a suspected drowning off the coast of Destin, Florida.

Florida Panhandle first responders reportedly were called at about 2:12 p.m. Tuesday after a group was seen struggling to make it back to the shore. 

Lifeguards pulled Mallett from under the water and found he was not breathing, the sheriff’s office of Okaloosa County said.

Mallet, who has been coaching high school football, was taken to the emergency room where he died, authorities also said. His official cause of death has yet to be determined. 

"Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator," said the White Hall School District, in Arkansas, in which he coached. "We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers."

Mallett was starting quarterback at Arkansas after transferring from the University of Michigan.

At Arkansas, he passed for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons, and in his second year, 2009, he led the Razorbacks to an 8-5 record and won the Liberty Bowl, in which he earned Offensive MVP honors.

In 2010 he placed seventh in Heisman Trophy balloting, having his best college season, throwing for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns.

In 2011 he was drafted to the NFL in the third round by the New England Patriots for which he was a backup to Tom Brady under the coaching of Bill Belichick. 

"I am extremely saddened by Ryan's tragic passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched," Belichick said in a statement Tuesday. 

Brady posted on Instagram: "We lost a great man. Thank you for everything Ryan."

In 2014 Mallett played for the Texans, with whom he had six starts, and was released in 2015. In 2017 Mallett was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens for whom he made two starts under Coach John Harbaugh. 

“Our hearts go out to Ryan’s family and we offer every condolence to them today," Harbaugh said on Tuesday. "Ryan was a part of us.”

By the end of his NFL career in 2017, Mallett appeared in 21 games, making eight starts.

Of his 345 pass attempts, he completed 190 for 1,835 yards and nine touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

In 2022 Mallett reportedly started coaching high school football in Arkansas.

"I always knew I was going to coach," Mallett said to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. "I get how everything works, and then I just love football. You get to teach kids the right way at a young age, and that's something I really enjoy."