Ryan Mallett was a former NFL quarterback who played for the Patriots, Texans, and Ravens. He was also a star player at Arkansas, where he set several school records and led the team to two bowl games. He died on June 27, 2023, at the age of 35, in an apparent drowning incident at a Florida beach. Here is what happened to him and what is the actual cause of his death.
What Happened to Ryan Mallett?
On Tuesday afternoon, while on vacation in Destin, Florida, Ryan Mallett tragically drowned in the Gulf of Mexico. Mallett was reportedly among a group of swimmers who were having trouble getting back to shore near the second sandbar, as reported by NBC News. The lifeguards rescued him from the water, but he was unresponsive and not breathing when they did so. At the hospital, doctors pronounced him dead.
Mallett was identified as the drowning victim by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. There were no indications of foul play or alcohol involvement, according to sheriff's spokesperson Michele Nicholson.
The passing of Mallett has devastated his loved ones, fans, and former teammates. His former employer, the White Hall School District in Arkansas, issued a statement expressing their sorrow and condolences for the loss of their head football coach.
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,”
The statement said. There will never be another coach or teacher like Coach Mallett.
There was also a tweet from the NFL, which read: “The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. His friends and family are in our prayers. Many of the NFL teams Mallett played for and coaches he worked with have also paid tribute to him online.
What Is the Actual Cause of Ryan Mallett's Death?
The actual cause of death for Ryan Mallett is drowning, according to the preliminary reports from the authorities. There is no evidence or indication that his death was caused by anything else, such as a medical condition or an accident.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States, especially among children and young adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10 people die from drowning every day in the country.
Drowning can occur in various water settings, such as pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, and bathtubs. Some of the risk factors for drowning include lack of swimming skills, lack of supervision, alcohol use, medical emergencies, and rip currents.
Rip currents are powerful currents of water that can pull swimmers away from the shore. They are common along the Gulf Coast of Florida, where Mallett drowned. The National Weather Service issued a coastal hazard message for Panama City Beach on Tuesday, warning of dangerous rip currents in the area.
To prevent drowning, the CDC recommends taking precautions such as learning how to swim, wearing life jackets, supervising children around water, avoiding alcohol and drugs while swimming, and following beach safety rules and warnings.
Ryan Mallett: Early Life and Family
Batesville, Arkansas was the location of Ryan Mallett's birth on June 5th, 1988. His parents, Jim and Debbie Mallett, were both educators at the high school where their son attended. Ryan's enthusiasm for football can be attributed, in large part, to the fact that his father was also a football coach. He had an older sister named Lauren.
Ryan's family relocated to Texarkana, Texas, when he was four years old. It was there that he spent his childhood and received his formal education. When they were both in seventh grade, they met at a football camp where they quickly became friends with Will Middlebrooks, who would go on to have a successful career as a baseball player in the major leagues.
Latest News About Ryan Mallett
The most up-to-date information we have is that Ryan Mallett's funeral will take place at the First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. The Texarkana Funeral Home will host a visitation for him on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The obituary for Mallett describes him as “a loving son, brother, father, and friend” with “a passion for football and coaching.” The article also states that he “loved spending time with his children and family.”
Many people loved and cared for Mallett after he passed away, including his parents Jim and Debbie, his brother Jared, his children Jace and Jolie, his girlfriend Kaitlyn, and other family and friends.
The Mallett family has asked that, instead of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the White Hall High School Football Program or the Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Conclusion
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett threw passes for the Patriots, Texans, and Ravens. At Arkansas, he was just as much of a star, helping the Razorbacks to two bowl victories and breaking several school records in the process. On June 27, 2023, at the age of 35, he was found dead on a beach in Florida from what was ruled a drowning accident.
