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Former NFL star Ryan Mallett has died. He was 35.<\/span><\/p>\n The White Hall School District in Arkansas, where Mallett worked as head coach of varsity football, first confirmed the athlete\u2019s death on Tuesday, June 27, via their official Facebook page<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett. Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator,\u201d the post read. \u201cWe ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Okaloosa Country Sheriff\u2019s Office first announced on Tuesday that a tourist had died in an apparent drowning offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin, Florida. \u201cA group of individuals were reportedly struggling offshore when a man went under,\u201d their official Twitter page read<\/a> at the time. \u201cHe was not breathing when lifeguards found and pulled him out. Tragically lifesaving measures weren\u2019t successful.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Sheriff\u2019s Office later confirmed via Twitter<\/a> that \u201cthe victim is identified as 35-year-old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas.\u201d They added: \u201cWe send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in his tragic passing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mallett, who played quarterback for the University of Arkansas, was drafted as a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2011 and served as backup to Tom Brady<\/strong><\/a> for four years. He was later traded to the Houston Texans before playing with the Baltimore Ravens from 2015 to 2017.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Following news of his death, the Patriots shared a heartfelt tribute about their former teammate via Twitter. \u201cThe New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,\u201d the team tweeted<\/a> on\u00a0Tuesday alongside a snap of Mallet in the signature uniform. \u201cOur thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n J.J. Watt<\/strong><\/a>, who played with the Arkansas native on the Texans, also took to social media to honor his former teammate, tweeting<\/a>, \u201cHorrible news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest In Peace brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n University of Arkansas\u2019 athletic director, Hunter Yurachek<\/strong>, for his part, said the school \u201clost an incredibly special person\u201d on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett,\u201d Yurachek tweeted at the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mallett played in 21 games, went 3-5 as a starter and compiled 1,835 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in the span of his NFL career. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After his retirement from professional football in 2017, Mallet was hired at White Hall High School in 2022 after beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Mountain Home High School.<\/span><\/p>\n