Ryan Mallett’s drowning death did not come in hazardous sea conditions, officials have said.
The former NFL quarterback’s death, which came as he was vacationing in Destin, Florida, was confirmed on Tuesday night. He was just 35 years old.
And while the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said there had been ‘widespread media misinformation’ about the conditions in the water at the time of Mallett’s death, he did not die in a riptide.
Destin Beach Safety said in a statement that there were no riptides present in the area around where Mallett was found, and said yellow safety flags were in place.
A yellow flag ‘indicates medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents,’ the statement said.
Former football player Ryan Mallett has passed away at the age of 35 in a drowning accident
Destin Beach Safety has said the conditions in the water were moderate when Mallett died
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has released bodycam footage of the incident
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Alden added, ‘It just seems to be a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents.’
According to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators, Mallett ‘began struggling while attempting to swim to a second sandbar about 150 feet offshore of the beach near Gulf Shores Drive in Destin around 2.15pm.’
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mallett’s death in a statement.
‘A tourist died in an apparent drowning offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,’ it read on Tuesday evening.
‘A group of individuals were reportedly struggling offshore when a man went under.
‘He was not breathing when lifeguards found and pulled him out. Tragically lifesaving measures weren’t successful.’
Mallett was taken from a Florida beach to the hospital after first responders were called to the area at 2.12pm. He was pronounced dead at the Destin emergency room.
Destin Beach Safety said in its statement that a beach attendant had called 911, reporting six individuals struggling to get back to shore.
The video cut to footage of an ambulance after showing the scene on the beach
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office addressed Mallett’s death on Facebook on Wednesday
Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter, KNWA reported. The ex-player went Facebook official with Carter less than a month ago, on June 1
The Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage of police officers responding to the incident on Tuesday.
One deputy can be heard saying to another, ‘I think they’ve got him on the board now,’ before the footage cuts to an ambulance.
Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter, KNWA reported.
The former Arkansas Razorbacks star went on to play for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.
His time in New England included backing up seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady for two seasons.
‘We lost a great man. Thank you for you everything Ryan,’ Brady wrote Tuesday night.
‘Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.’
Mallett’s former New England coach, Bill Belichick, also paid tribute to his former player on Tuesday night.
‘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.’
Mallett starred for the Arkansas Razorbacks before going onto a career in the NFL
The ex-quarterback played alongside Tom Brady with New England Patriots from 2011-2013
And the legendary passer paid tribute to his ex-teammate late on Tuesday night
JJ Watt took to Twitter to honor his former teammate, who passed away at age of 35 Tuesday
Mallett played in the NFL from 2011 to 2017 after a college career with Michigan and Arkansas, and threw 62 touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks.
He returned to the latter state to coach at White Hall High School, taking up 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 on Tuesday.
‘Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.’