Ryan Mallett, former Razorback and NFL quarterback, dead at 35
FAYETTEVILLE — Condolences and words of support poured in from across the Arkansas and NFL football fraternities following the drowning death Tuesday of former University of Arkansas and NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett.
Mallett, 35, was involved in a swimming accident Tuesday on the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico, according to multiple sources.
The record-breaking Arkansas quarterback had served one season as head coach at White Hall High School, leading the Bulldogs to a 4-6 record last fall.
According to an ESPN report, first responders with the Okaloosa (Fla.) County Sheriff’s Office were first called to a beach in Destin around 1:12 p.m. Central. A group of people swimming near a sandbar, including Mallett, had struggled to make their way back to shore, according to the report.
Mallett was not breathing when he was pulled out of the water and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the ESPN report.
White Hall High School, the University of Arkansas athletic department, Mallett’s three NFL teams — the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens — and other organizations and individuals posted messages via social media.
“Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District in your prayers,” the White Hall School District posted.
“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” the Arkansas athletic department wrote in a statement. “He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match.
“He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Debbie and his extended family.”
Former Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino, who teamed with Mallett to provide the Razorbacks with a high-powered, prodigious offense in 2009-10, wrote a long Twitter post to memorialize his former quarterback.
“I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of one of the greatest competitors I’ve had the privilege of coaching,” wrote Petrino, who is now offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. “Not only was Ryan a great leader and teammate on the field, he was a thoughtful and generous person off the field as well.”
Wrote New England Coach Bill Belichick, “I am extremely saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched.”
Former Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright posted a picture of himself and Mallett, one of the top receiver-quarterback duos in Razorback history, along with heart-shaped hands.
Long-time Houston Texans standout JJ Watt also reacted to the news, writing, “Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother.”
Fayetteville High School Coach Casey Dick, who preceded Mallett as quarterback for the Razorbacks, wrote, “Nothing like sitting in a position room with #15 as a freshman! Unreal talent, competitor, and loved his guys through everything. Rest easy my friend.”
Former Arkansas standout running back Peyton Hillis survived a near drowning scare in the Gulf of Mexico in January.
“I was so shocked. I just couldn’t believe it,” said former Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt, who recruited Mallett. “We had just heard about the Peyton Hillis deal where he was very fortunate to survive after saving his children. Peyton fought through some tough times and is still fighting through it. But I’m really happy that Peyton is doing better.
“Then you hear something like this about Ryan, and you just can’t believe it. It’s just so sad.”
When Mallett finished his two-year Arkansas career, after leading the Razorbacks to a 10-3 record and their only Bowl Championship Series berth in 2010, he held a large number of school passing records.
Mallett still holds UA single-season records with 3,869 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes in 2010.
His 62 career touchdowns rank second behind Brandon Allen’s 64, and his 7,493 passing yards are second to his successor Tyler Wilson’s 7,765.
Mallett passed for a school record five touchdowns in a game four times, though Allen broke that mark by passing for six touchdowns in a 53-52 overtime win at Ole Miss on Nov. 7, 2015, then surpassed that with seven touchdown passes in a 51-50 loss to Mississippi State two weeks later.
Nutt had Mallett, a high school phenom at Texarkana (Texas) High School who originally signed with the University of Michigan and played for the Wolverines as a freshman in 2007, in camps going back to the fifth and sixth grades.
“He’d come every summer all the way through high school,” Nutt said. “He was such an outstanding great athlete. He was so tall and could throw so well with such a strong arm. You saw him get bigger and better each year. He competed so well. He grew into this great player.”
Nutt’s staff got Mallett to commit to the Razorbacks as a transfer and he sat out the 2008 season behind Dick in Petrino’s first season.
Then Mallett teamed with the master play caller and schemer Petrino to turn Arkansas into an offensive powerhouse in 2009 and 2010 while going 18-8 with Mallett as the starter.
One often-repeated play among Mallett’s highlights was an 80-yard touchdown strike to another Texarkana product — Cobi Hamilton — on the final play of the first half of a 31-23 win over LSU at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium in 2010.
In the fourth quarter of that game, Mallett found Joe Adams for a 39-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-3 play over future NFL star Tyrann “Honeybadger” Mathieu.
“Personally, I know how much he loved being a hog,” Petrino posted. “I along with thousands of others will always remember 4th and 3 in Little Rock against LSU when he made the perfect pass to Joe to seal the win! My heart goes out to his family and to all of Hog nation tonight. Gone but never forgotten. May you rest in peace buddy. Love you!”
Mallett was taken with the 74th pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Patriots and played three seasons as the backup to Tom Brady. He finished his career splitting four seasons between the Texans and the Ravens.
Mallett passed for 1,835 yards in the NFL with 9 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
— Information for this article was contributed by Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Gallery: Ryan Mallett photos
Source: Arkansas Online
