Former Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett dead at 35

Former Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett drowned at a beach in Destin, Florida on Tuesday. He was 35 years old.

Mallett was in the water with a group of people as they struggled to make their way back to shore when first responders were called to the beach at 2:12 p.m., according to the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office. Mallett went under the water and wasn’t breathing when he was pulled to shore.

Rip currents have been particularly strong recently with 10 drownings since June 15 along the Alabama and Florida panhandle beaches. There were yellow flags up in Destin on Tuesday, meaning it was a “medium hazard” and swimmers should stay near a lifeguard. Two days earlier, the beaches had a red flag, which means “high hazard” and on Friday and Saturday, there were double red flags, meaning swimmers were not allowed in the water.

‘HELLUVA FRIEND’: Former Texans players react to Ryan Mallett’s drowning death

Mallett, who spent seven seasons in the NFL, was taken by the Patriots in the third round of the 2011 draft and traded to the Texans three years later. After backing up Ryan Fitzpatrick for the first half of the 2014 season, Mallett was named the starter in November, but he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in his second start. In two games, Mallett threw for 400 yards with two touchdowns, including one to J.J. Watt, who lined up at tight end in a win over the Browns.

“Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett,” Watt posted on Twitter on Tuesday. “Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother.”

Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett.

Gone way too soon.

Rest in Peace brother.

🙏🏼

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 27, 2023

In 2015, Mallett lost a quarterback battle to Brian Hoyer in training camp, which included an odd moment captured by HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in which Mallett missed a practice and said he overslept.

After Hoyer and the Texans lost the 2015 season opener to the Chiefs, Mallett started the next four games, but recorded just one win. In that stretch, Mallett was benched when the Texans trailed the Falcons 42-0 in the third quarter.

The Texans released Mallett three weeks later when he missed a team flight to Miami for a game against the Dolphins. Mallett finished that season with the Baltimore Ravens and played two more years in Baltimore before retiring.

“Ryan was a part of us,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh in a statement released by the team. “I will always remember the love he had for his teammates and for making the most of, and enjoying every football day while here.”

When the Patriots drafted Mallett, coach Bill Belichick raved about his new quarterback being “a football guy” and how much he loved talking about the sport.

“I am extremely saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing,” Belichick said in a statement released by the Patriots. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched.”

Six of Mallett’s eight career starts came while wearing a Texans’ deep steel blue helmet.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mallett family,” the Texans said in a quote tweet of the NFL’s tweet honoring Mallett.

Mallett started working as a high school football assistant coach in Arkansas in 2020 and got his first head coaching job in 2022 when he took over at White Hall High School just outside of Pine Bluff.

“Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator,” a statement from White Hall School district read. “We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.”

Mallett was a high school star in Texarkana and signed with Michigan where he spent one season before transferring to Arkansas. In his final season with the Razorbacks, he threw for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns, both still school records.

“Our Razorback family lost an incredibly special person today,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek posted on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback”