Dramatic Footage Reveals Efforts of First Responders to Rescue Ryan Mallett, Former NFL Player Who Tragically Drowned at Florida Beach

Former NFL player Ryan Mallett drowns while vacationing in Florida.

Former NFL player Ryan Mallett tragically drowned on Tuesday while vacationing near Destin, Florida, according to the Destin Police Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office released new video footage on Wednesday, showing a deputy rushing along the beach, presumably towards the scene of the incident. The video then cuts to an ambulance and other emergency vehicles.

Mallett was swiftly transported from the beach to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, as confirmed by the sheriff's office. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, the man could not be revived at the Destin Emergency Room.

Born in Arkansas, Mallett gained national recognition as the quarterback for the Texas High School Tigers in Texarkana. He spent one year playing collegiate football at the University of Michigan before transferring to the University of Arkansas in 2008. During his time at Arkansas, Mallett set numerous records, including the all-time single-season passing yards (3,869 in 2010) and single-season passing touchdowns (32 in 2010).

Hunter Yurachek, the athletic director at the University of Arkansas, released a brief statement expressing the loss felt by the Razorback family, describing Mallett as an "incredibly special person."

In the 2011 NFL Draft, Mallett was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round. He played alongside Tom Brady under the guidance of Head Coach Bill Belichick. Mallett's NFL career spanned seven years, which included stints with the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens.

Belichick expressed his deep sorrow in a tweet from the Patriots, stating, "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."

Despite only starting in eight games throughout his NFL career, Mallett retired from professional football and transitioned into coaching high school football. In 2022, he was hired as the head football coach in White Hall, a community located approximately 40 miles south of Little Rock, Arkansas.

The White Hall School District shared the devastating news of Coach Ryan Mallett's passing on Facebook, describing him as a beloved coach and educator. They requested prayers for his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the school district staff.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, first responders were called to the beach behind 775 Gulf Shore Drive in Destin on Tuesday afternoon at around 2:12 p.m. Witnesses reported that a group of individuals in the water near the second sandbar were struggling to return to shore. Tragically, one adult male went under and was found unresponsive when pulled out of the water.

Following notification of next of kin, the sheriff's office confirmed the drowning victim's identity as Ryan Mallett. The agency extended their heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in the wake of this tragic loss.

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