Ryan Mallett, former New England Patriots quarterback, dies in apparent drowning

DESTIN, Fla. - Former New England Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, who also played for Houston and Baltimore during five seasons in the NFL, has died. He was 35.

Mallett died in an apparent drowning in Destin, Florida Tuesday, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said a group of people in the water near a sandbar at a beach had reportedly been struggling to make it back to shore. A man, later identified as Mallett, went under and lifeguards said he was not breathing when he was pulled out.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Mallett was a football coach at White Hall High School in his native Arkansas, and the school district also confirmed his death in a post on its website on Tuesday.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said the university "lost an incredibly special person."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett," Yurachek posted on Twitter.

Mallett played for the University of Michigan for one season before finishing his college career at Arkansas. He passed for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks.

Mallett was selected by New England in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He appeared in four games with the Patriots during the 2012 season, completing 1 of 4 passes for 17 yards, backing up Tom Brady.

Brady paid tribute to Mallett on Instagram, saying "We lost a great man. Thank you for everything Ryan."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he was "extremely saddened by Ryan's tragic passing."

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched," Belichick said in a statement posted by the team on Twitter.

"Tough one to swallow," former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman tweeted.

"Rest in peace Ryan Mallet!" former New England running back James White wrote. "Gone way too soon, sending my condolences to his family!" 

Mallett made six starts in nine games with the Texans and two starts in eight appearances with the Ravens. He completed 190 of his 345 attempts in the NFL for 1,835 yards and nine touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

"Ryan was a part of us," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a Twitter post 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."

Former Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks was a lifelong friend of Mallett's, saying on Twitter he lost his "best friend."

In his first start on Nov. 16, 2014, Mallett directed Houston to a 23-7 victory at Cleveland. His first career TD pass was a 2-yarder to defensive end J.J. Watt.

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

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