The college football community is in mourning after it learned of the sudden death of former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett, who died at the age of 35 after a drowning accident in Destin, Fla., and now we have some more information around the circumstances of his death.
Mallett and a group of others were swimming together in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Destin when the group was seen to be struggling, according to the Okaloosa Co. (Fla.) Sheriff's Office. Shortly afterwards, a man was seen going under the water.
By the time a rescue crew arrived on the scene and the man was brought to the shore, he was not breathing, and the attempts at saving his life were unsuccessful, according to the first responders who were there.
What the sheriff said
“A group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff's office said. “One of the individuals, an adult male, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when pulled out.”
After sharing this information, the Sheriff's Office was able to confirm that the man in question was Mallett.
"We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in this tragic passing," they said.
Dangerous conditions
Rip currents have taken the lives of at least 11 people over the last two weeks on the Florida panhandle and authorities declared a coastal hazard message in Panama City Beach through the National Weather Service with a warning of dangerous surf zones.
Mallett was reportedly swimming with a large group on Tuesday after 2 p.m. local time near a sandbar.
Authorities have not cited the rip currents in Mallett's death, but have warned people of adverse situations in the area where he drowned.
Ryan Mallett's legacy
Regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Arkansas football history, Mallett initially started his college football career at Michigan, where he made 11 appearances, including three starts, as a freshman. He hit 61 passes for almost 900 yards and seven touchdowns as a starter.
He transferred to Arkansas after sitting out a year due to then-NCAA policy, but soon landed the starting quarterback job for the Razorbacks.
In 2009, Mallett passed for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading Arkansas to an 8-5 record and a victory over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl.
The following season, Mallett threw for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns as the Razorbacks went 10-3, a No. 12 position in the AP top 25 rankings, and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl. In his time as a collegian, Mallett broke almost every passing record Arkansas had.
"We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett," the Arkansas football program said in a statement.
"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."
Mallett got an assistant coaching position at Mountain Home (Ark.) High School in 2020 and became the head coach at White Hall ahead of the 2022 season.
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