Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has died in an apparent drowning off the Gulf of Mexico, authorities said.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and first responders were called to a beach in Destin, Florida -- approximately 50 miles east of Pensacola in Florida's panhandle -- at 2:12 p.m. to a report of a group of people in the water near a sandbar who had been struggling to make their way back to shore.
Police initially did not identify the victim who died in the apparent drowning but said they had received confirmation from next of kin in a subsequent update that the man who died was 35-year-old former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett. "We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett," the Arkansas football program said in a statement posted to Twitter. "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.
"I am extremely saddened by Ryan's tragic passing," said New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick according to the team. "My thoughts and prayers are with""Our hearts go out to Ryan's family and we offer every condolence to them today. Ryan was a part of us," said Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in a statement released by the team.
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