Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett tragically passed away in a drowning incident in Florida on a Tuesday. He was 35 years old at the time of his demise. Following the incident, Mallett was immediately transported from a beach to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Deltaplex News.

Before his untimely death, Mallett was actively involved in coaching. In 2022, he was appointed as the head coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas, as confirmed by the school district officials. This was not his first coaching stint, as he had previously served as an assistant coach at a high school in his home state of Arkansas.

Mallett’s career in the National Football League (NFL) began when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-6, Mallett was primarily utilized as a backup quarterback. Initially, he was drafted to serve as a backup to the legendary Tom Brady. During his tenure with the Patriots, Mallett attempted only four passes. After the Patriots drafted quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Mallett was traded to the Houston Texans.

In Houston, Mallett spent the 2014 season as a backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick and got the opportunity to start in two games before a pectoral injury prematurely ended his season. The Texans opted not to retain Fitzpatrick but re-signed Mallett to a two-year deal in March 2015. During the 2015 season, the Texans had Mallett compete with Brian Hoyer, his former Patriots teammate, for the starting quarterback position. This competition was documented in the TV show “Hard Knocks”. Although Hoyer won the job, he was benched after one game, and Mallett started the next four games. However, after missing a charter flight for a game in Miami in October 2015, Mallett was released by the Texans.

Mallett eventually concluded his NFL career as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. He served as a backup to Joe Flacco and filled in for the injured Flacco during two games in the 2015 season, continuing as a backup for two more seasons. His career in the NFL effectively came to an end after the 2017 season.

In addition to his NFL career, Mallett was known for his impressive college football career, notably as a standout player for the University of Arkansas. He finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2010 after throwing 32 touchdown passes and leading Arkansas to a 10-3 record. As a former recruit from Michigan, Mallett played two seasons at Arkansas, accumulating 62 touchdown passes and 7,493 passing yards.