Former Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett died in a drowning accident Tuesday in Florida.
According to Deltaplex, Mallett, 35, was transported from a beach to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Patriots selected Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Arkansas. He served as Tom Brady’s top backup from 2012-13 before being traded to Houston in August 2014. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder was known for his remarkable arm strength and accolades as one of the greatest quarterbacks to come out of Arkansas.
In a statement Tuesday, the Patriots expressed condolences to Mallett’s family and former teammates.
“The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.”
Shortly after Mallett was drafted, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of the quarterback: “He’s definitely a football guy. He’s a great kid to talk to. He’s very into football. You can’t wear him out. As long as you want to talk about it, he’ll be there. However many hours it is, he’s ready to go watch the next film or go talk about a new technique or read or whatever.”
In the NFL, Mallett started eight of 21 career game appearances, throwing for 1,835 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He played one and a half seasons with the Texans and two and a half in Baltimore, where he was traded midway through the 2015 campaign. Mallett played his final NFL season in 2017.
The Arkansas native was set to enter his second season as the head football coach at White Hall High School in his home state.
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