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.
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.”
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