DESTIN, FLORIDA: Ryan Mallet, who died while vacationing in Florida, did not drown due to hazardous sea conditions, officials have confirmed. The 35-year-old former NFL player was on a vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter when he drowned offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin, Florida on Tuesday, June 27.
Destin Beach Safety said in a statement that rescuers arrived at the scene after 2:00 pm when a beachgoer called 911 to report that six individuals were struggling to make it back to the shore. Upon their arrival, rescuers were informed that one of the individuals, who was later identified as Mallett, had gone underwater and failed to resurface. Three lifeguards ultimately rescued the group, including Mallet, who was not moving and breathing when he was brought to shore. The former Arkansas Razorbacks star was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
'There were no indications of any riptides'
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said that while its detectives are still compiling information on the incident, they believe Mallett was attempting to swim to a second sandbar 150 feet offshore. They also confirmed that he did not die in a riptide as there was no current in the section of the Florida coastline where he was swimming. "Despite widespread media misinformation, yellow beach safety flags were flying at the time and there were no indications of any 'riptides,'" the sheriff's office said in a post on Facebook, alongside brief body cam footage, according to DailyMail.
The flags mentioned in the statement are part of a larger safety system in place in the region that warns tourists of how hazardous the conditions are in the water on any given day. The Yellow flag indicates there was moderate surf and/or currents in the area Tuesday, which means life-threatening conditions were possible but not likely. Destin had issued red or double red flag warnings in 12 of the preceding 13 days. Recent reports indicate that the Gulf Coast has seen very hazardous circumstances. CNN reported earlier on Tuesday that 11 individuals have died in rip currents in a two-week span.
'We lost a great man'
The unexpected death of Mallett has shocked the broader football community. After playing for Michigan and Arkansas in college, Mallett played in the NFL from 2011 to 2017. While playing for the Razorbacks, he tossed 62 touchdown passes in only two seasons. The former Arkansas Razorbacks standout later played in the NFL for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. His time in New England included backing up seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady for two seasons. Brady paid him a moving tribute on Tuesday night, saying "We lost a great man. Thank you for you everything, Ryan. Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight."
Legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick also offered a similar solace, saying, "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." After wrapping up his career in 2017, Mallett was serving as the head football coach at White Hall (Arkansas) High, having coached his first season in 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."
