Shock and Sorrow: Untimely Passing of Ryan Mallett, Ex-NFL Quarterback at 35!

Ryan Mallett, a former NFL star, passed away at the age of 35. The White Hall School District in Arkansas, where Mallett served as the head coach of varsity football, announced his death on Tuesday, June 27, through their official Facebook page.

“It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Coach Ryan Mallett. Coach Mallett was not only a highly regarded coach and educator, but also a cherished individual,” stated the post. “We humbly request that you keep his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the dedicated staff of the White Hall School District in your thoughts and prayers.”

On Tuesday, the Okaloosa Country Sheriff’s Office initially reported that a visitor had tragically lost their life in a possible drowning incident off the coast of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin, Florida. The official Twitter page of the Sheriff’s Office shared, "According to witnesses, a group of individuals were struggling to stay afloat when one individual submerged beneath the water," detailing the events at that time. "Despite the best efforts of lifeguards, regrettably, attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful."

The Sheriff's Office later took to Twitter to confirm the unfortunate passing of Ryan Mallett, a 35-year-old resident of Arkansas. They expressed their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Having played as the quarterback for the University of Arkansas, Mallett was selected as the New England Patriots' third-round pick in 2011. He served as a backup to Tom Brady for four years before being traded to the Houston Texans. Mallett then went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens from 2015 to 2017.

The Patriots expressed their sadness and paid tribute to their former teammate, Ryan Mallett, after receiving news of his untimely death. In a heartfelt tweet, the team shared their condolences, mentioning that they were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the former quarterback. They expressed their support for the Mallett family, his former teammates, and all those grieving his loss. Another former teammate, J.J. Watt, also took to social media to honor Mallett, expressing his sorrow and offering his condolences.

The University of Arkansas' athletic director, Hunter Yurachek, expressed his condolences for the loss of Ryan Mallett, emphasizing that he was a remarkable individual. Yurachek tweeted his thoughts and prayers to Mallett's family, friends, and teammates. During his NFL career, Mallett played in 21 games, with a 3-5 record as a starter. He accumulated 1,835 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions.

Mallett, who retired from professional football in 2017, started his coaching journey as an assistant at Mountain Home High School before joining White Hall High School in 2022. Upon being appointed head coach at White Hall, Mallett expressed his innate passion for coaching and his fondness for football. He emphasized the joy he derives from guiding young players and instilling valuable skills at an early age. According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Mallett stated, "I always had the certainty that coaching was my calling. It comes naturally to me as I grasp the dynamics of the sport and possess a genuine love for it."