Ryan Mallett’s drowning death did not come in dangerous sea conditions, officials have said.
The former NFL quarterback’s death, which came while vacationing in Destin, Florida, was confirmed Tuesday night. He was just 35 years old.
And while the The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said there had been “widespread misinformation in the media” about conditions in the water at the time of Mallett’s death, he did not die in a rush.
Destin Beach Safety said in a rack that there were no riptides near where Mallett was found, and said the water flag condition was yellow.
A yellow flag “indicates medium hazard, moderate surf and/or current,” the statement said.
Former football player Ryan Mallett has died at the age of 35 from drowning
Destin Beach Safety has said conditions in the water were moderate when Mallett died
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage of the incident
The video was cut to footage of an ambulance after the scene was shown on the beach
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office spoke on Facebook about Mallett’s death on Wednesday
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Alden added, “It just appears to be a tragic accident and has nothing to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents.”
According to investigators from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Mallett “began struggling while trying to swim to a second sand bar about 50 yards offshore from the beach near Gulf Shores Drive in Destin around 2:15 p.m..”
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mallett’s death in a statement.
“A tourist was killed when he apparently drowned off Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,” it read Tuesday night.
A group of individuals were reportedly struggling off the coast when a man went down.
“He wasn’t breathing when lifeguards found him and pulled him out. Unfortunately, life-saving measures were not successful.’
Mallett was taken to the hospital from a Florida beach after first responders were called to the area at 2:12 p.m. He was pronounced dead at Destin’s emergency room.
Destin Beach Safety said in its statement that a lifeguard called 911 and reported six individuals struggling to get back to shore.
Mallett was on holiday with his girlfriend Madison Carter, the KNWA reports. The ex-player officially became Facebook with Carter less than a month ago, on June 1
Mallett played for the Arkansas Razorbacks before embarking on a career in the NFL
The sheriff’s office released bodycam footage Tuesday of police officers responding to the incident.
One deputy is heard saying to another, “I think they’ve got him on the board now,” before the footage cuts to an ambulance.
Mallett was on holiday with his girlfriend Madison Carter, the KNWA reports.
The former Arkansas Razorbacks star went on to play for the Patriots, Texans and Ravens in the NFL.
His time in New England included supporting seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady for two seasons.
“We have lost a great man. Thanks for everything, Ryan,” Brady wrote Tuesday night.
“Praying tonight for the Mallett family and all their loved ones.”
Mallett’s former New England coach Bill Belichick also paid tribute to his former player on Tuesday night.
“I am deeply saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched.”
The former quarterback played with Tom Brady for the New England Patriots from 2011-2013
And the legendary passer-by paid tribute to his ex-teammate late on Tuesday evening
Mallett played in the NFL from 2011 to 2017 after a college career with Michigan and Arkansas, throwing 62 touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks.
He returned to the latter state to coach at White Hall High School, assuming the role in February 2022.
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” White Hall School District said in a statement Tuesday.
Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you keep his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and White Hall School District staff in your prayers.”